Faith leaders to serve as poll chaplains in nine states on Election Day

Faith leaders from multiple religions will act as poll chaplains and lay peacekeepers at polling locations across nine battleground states on Election Day, according to WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando.

These volunteers, including a Quaker leader traveling to Ohio, a Christian minister and Jewish rabbi in Arizona, and a Buddhist nun in Wisconsin, aim to provide a calm, reassuring presence to voters, WCBD Count on 2 reported.

The coalition Faiths United in Saving Democracy is training and certifying over 1,200 clergy members and peacekeepers to serve in Arizona, Michigan, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Wisconsin, Virginia, and Texas, WPLG Local 10 and WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando noted.

The initiative responds to concerns about political tensions and fears that federal immigration enforcement presence could deter voters, especially in mixed-immigration-status families and communities of color, WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando reported.

Poll chaplains will wear identifying hats and vests and remain outside polling centers to encourage voter participation without fear or hesitation, according to WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando.

Department of Homeland Security officials have stated they have no plans to deploy immigration agents to polling places, though they could appear for specific law enforcement reasons, WKMG News 6 ClickOrlando added.