October 21, 2026

CONTACT: Deacon Nick Bates,
Nbates@ohiochurches.org

Additional quotes from judicatory heads available upon request.

A new command I give you: Love one another.
As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
~ John 13:34

Election season is upon us once again. This year we are electing officials on the state, federal, and local levels as well as levies for local services and other important community issues. Through the electoral process, we have the opportunity to show love to one another by listening to the needs, priorities, and concerns of one another. Valuing each other’s voices is a loving act.  

From Tuesday, October 6 (beginning of early vote period) until Election Day on November 3, it is the hope of the Ohio Council of Churches and our Christian denominational partners that every eligible voter in Ohio will exercise their right to vote. Whether you vote by mail or in-person, know that your vote is precious, sacred, and secure. Ohio, despite attempts to sow a climate of fear, has proven to be one of the securest states for election integrity and security.

Close election seasons invite passion and vigorous debate which is healthy for community growth. We encourage all Ohioans to remember our sacred call to love thy neighbor and remain peaceful in our disagreements. We encourage anyone who encounters harassment, intimidation, or other election irregularities to report it to the non-partisan election protection hotline 1-866-OUR-VOTE. 

We encourage all voters to be as informed as possible, and we give thanks for congregations and non-profit organizations like the League of Women Voters who host informational forums around Ohio to educate voters. We encourage engagement in this process as a way of living out our call to love one another by hearing from those whom we agree and disagree.

As people of faith we pray,

May God bless our elected officials, poll workers, election protection teams, poll chaplains, and peacekeeper teams. May God bless your work to guarantee that all voices in Ohio can be heard with authenticity. May those who are elected this year remember to serve with compassion and justice for those in our community that too often go unheard. May your temporary leadership to our community be filled with love and joy to build up our community for all Ohioans. Amen

In Sacred Service,

Deacon Nick Bates, M.T.S., J.D.
Interim Executive Director, Ohio Council of Churches

Executive Presbyter Lisa Allgood
Presbytery of Cincinnati, Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.)

Bishop Laura Barbins
Northeastern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Bishop Daniel Beaudoin
Northwestern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Bishop Suzanne Darcy Dillahunt
Southern Ohio Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Presiding Clerk Dana Dunsieth
Wilmington Yearly Meeting, Quakers

Reverend Father Demitrios Gardikes
Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral

Rev. Ian Gibson
2nd Episcopal District, Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church

Rev. Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
The Synod of the Covenant, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Rev. Allen Harris, Ohio Council of Churches, Secretary
Christian Church in Ohio (Disciples of Christ)

District Executive Minister Kris Hawk
Northern Ohio District, Church of the Brethren