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Black churches mobilizing voters despite virus challenges

Laurae Caruth
Posted at 10:03 AM, Oct 12, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-12 10:02:59-04

NEW YORK (AP) — Voter mobilization in Black church communities will look much different in 2020, due in large part to the coronavirus pandemic that has infected millions across the U.S. and has taken a disproportionate toll on Black America.

In recent election cycles, predominantly Black congregations across the country have launched get-out-the-vote campaigns commonly referred to as “souls to the polls.” This year, churches are organizing socially distant caravans with greatly reduced capacity for early voting and Election Day ballot-casting.

Volunteers are phone-banking and canvasing the homes of church members to ensure mail-in and absentee ballots are requested and delivered before the deadlines.