The 2026 midterm elections, to be held on Tuesday, November 3, are critically important. Every seat in the US House of Representatives and 33 US Senate seats are to be voted on. The danger of election disruption is real, with disinformation being spread about the trustworthiness of the voting process (and the threat of National Guard at polling stations); the possible attempt by the executive branch to dismantle state authority over elections; and the promotion of anti-democratic candidates. We must work together to ensure the safe exercise of all citizens’ right to vote and for a seamless, nonviolent transfer of power in January 2027.

Pax Christi USA joins with many other faith and human rights organizations in urging our members and supporters to engage in the election process in whatever ways you are able. We offer the following educational and action resources for your reflection and consideration.

Pax Christi USA prayer card for the election season

Written by Sr. Dianna Ortiz, OSU, 2000 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace, this prayer invites us “to be Gospel-informed voters, who stand on the side of justice and truth.” This prayer card is excellent for outreach in your parish, school, university and community, and is a great way to respond to the division, anxiety and tension that accompany the election season in our nation. Cards are sold in packs of 50, $8.00 each, or two packs for $15.00.

Use this link to order election season prayer cards

“See Love Vote” free postcard kits

Pax Christi USA is one of the cosponsors of the See Love Vote campaign, a get-out-the-vote effort designed to equip communities with the tools needed to foster an informed, engaged electorate grounded in love for the common good. Order a free postcard kit and host a gathering of friends to write personalized messages encouraging US citizens to register and exercise their right to vote. There are also signs, t-shirts, and hats available on the NETWORK Lobby website to help spread a visible civic witness.

Find See • Love • Vote resources here

“Protecting Participation in Civic Life” toolkit

Catholics in Communion offers a “Protecting Participation in Civic Life” toolkit to prepare Catholics to uphold voting rights by engaging them in theological reflection and analysis, moving them along a pathway of engagement making sure their people feel ready to vote, have safe access to the polls, and can act to ensure their vote is counted. The toolkit offers resources for organizing neighbors to meet with their local election officials and share their support for safe and fair elections, as well as other ideas for local action before, during, and after election day.

Use this link to access the toolkit

The Vote is Sacred 2026 webinar series, Sept. 2, 9, 15, 23 and 30

Join five free online trainings in September for clergy, congregations, and the broader public. Each week’s training begins at 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific. The topics and dates of the webinars are:

Presenters on the webinars come from the following organizations: Interfaith America, Protect Democracy, League of Women Voters, the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, Bolder Advocacy at Alliance for Justice, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Faith in Action, A More Perfect Union, Sojourners, Faiths United to Save Democracy and NETWORK Lobby.

Use this link to register for the webinars at Interfaith Alliance

Defending Democracy: A 2026 Election Preparedness Webinar Series, Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8, and 15

Join the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University every Thursday from Sept. 3 until Oct. 15 for virtual workshops designed to equip you with the tools to navigate and protect the 2026 midterm elections. From understanding threats to democracy and engaging voters to knowing your rights and becoming a poll chaplain, each session offers practical ways to participate, prepare, and strengthen our democracy.

All sessions will be held via Zoom.

Use this link to register for the Georgetown Center on Faith and Justice webinar series

“Participation, human dignity, and elections” virtual conference, Sept. 16 and 17

All are invited to join this two-day virtual conference featuring theologians and bishops from across the globe who have experience in protecting civic participation in democracy. The conference will be held on Sept. 16 and 17, 7-9:30 PM Eastern/4-6:30 PM Pacific.

Featured speakers include Pax Christi USA’s 2026 Teacher of Peace Archbishop John C. Wester of Santa Fe and nonviolence expert Dr. Maria J. Stephan. Event partners include: Loyola University Chicago, Seattle University, Clough School of Theology & Ministry at Boston College, Jesuits West, the Josephite Pastoral Center, Candler School of Theology at Emory, and others.

Use this link to register for the Sept. 16-17 conference

Topics include:

  • The Church in a global context of fragile democracies: Brazil, Philippines,
    Hungary, Guatemala and the US
  • The Church’s evolving relationship to democracy: From rejection to embrace
    to continued imagination of new models
  • Truth through noise: Media, AI and the struggle for practical wisdom grounded
    in the faith
  • The challenge of Catholic homiletics and leadership amid polarization: Empowering parish, school and apostolic leaders to be both prophetic and reconciling
  • Voter support as pastoral practice: Practical strategies to help youth and marginalized communities exercise their call to participation
  • Ministering amidst a renewed crisis of electoral participation: The repeal of voting rights, new targeting of immigrants and impact on Catholic communities

Poll Chaplaincy Training, Sept. 28 and Oct. 15

To ensure every US voter can cast their ballot free of fear or intimidation, Faiths United to Save Democracy offers poll chaplaincy training. While the training is open to all, official polling assignments, ID badges, and direct support are reserved for volunteers residing in nine priority states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Volunteers located outside these priority states can still attend the training and are encouraged to do so in order to learn best practices if threats to free and fair elections arise.

Trainings will be held on September 28 and October 15, 7 PM Eastern/4 PM Pacific — it is not necessary to attend both. Only one training is required.

Use this link to learn more and to register

Additional resources

Past events

Webinar: Election protection scenario training, August 28

Thanks to all who joined Pax Christi USA for an online training of election protection scenarios. The webinar helped participants think through and plan for the possible scenarios we might face during this election season.