Resolution Number: 2018-D003
Title: Call on Governments to Cease Voter Suppression and Increase Voter Participation
Legislative Action Taken: Concurred as Substituted
Final Text:

Resolved, That this 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church hereby calls on all states to cease and desist efforts to suppress the voting rights of American Citizens; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church calls on governments on all levels to create policies to enhance voter participation by, among other strategies, seeking to implement policies that will increase early voting, extend registration periods, guarantee an adequate number of voting locations, allow absentee balloting without the necessity of having an excuse, and prohibit forms of identification that restrict voter participation; and be it further

Resolved, That in accordance with Executive Council Resolution AN033 adopted October 25, 2017, the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirms that one person one vote means that the votes of all citizens of all races and ethnicities are fairly represented, counted and accounted for; that we oppose any form of partisan gerrymandering which has the same effect of racial gerrymandering; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention call upon the National Conference of State Legislators to address gerrymandering as a major focus in developing a fair, not gerrymandered electoral process.

Citation: General Convention, Journal of the General Convention of...The Episcopal Church, Austin, 2018 (New York: General Convention, 2018), pp. 672-673.

Legislative History

Author: Canon Richard Miller
Originating House: House of Bishops
Originating Committee: Social Justice and United States Policy

House of Bishops

The House of Bishops Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #34 on Resolution D003 (Addressing the issue of Voter Suppression) and moved adoption of a substitute.

Original Text of Resolution:

(D003)

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, That this 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church hereby directs and encourages the adoption, on a state-by-state basis, of the following package of reforms that would expand voter registration, increase voter eligibility, and make voting processes more accessible by: implementing automatic voter registration; enabling same-day voter registration; preparing for natural disasters; allowing online registration; expanding the circle of people who are eligible to vote; making it easier to vote by mail; enabling no-excuse absentee voting; creating long-term mailing lists for absentee voters; making it easier for people to vote early, in person; enabling weekend voting and extended hours; and, guaranteeing an adequate number of voting locations.

Committee Substitute:

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that this 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church hereby calls on all states to cease and desist efforts to suppress the voting rights of American Citizens; and be it further

Resolved, That The Episcopal Church calls on governments on all levels to create policies to enhance voter participation by, among other strategies, seeking to implement policies that will increase early voting, extend registration periods, guarantee an adequate number of voting locations, allow absentee balloting without the necessity of having an excuse, and prohibit forms of identification that restrict voter participation; and be it further

Resolved, That, in accordance with Executive Council Resolution AN033 adopted October 25, 2017, the 79th General Convention of The Episcopal Church reaffirms that one person one vote means that the votes of all citizens of all races and ethnicities are fairly represented, counted and accounted for; that we oppose any form of partisan gerrymandering which has the same effect of racial gerrymandering; and be it further

Resolved, That the 79th General Convention call upon the National Conference of State Legislators to address gerrymandering as a major focus in developing a fair, not gerrymandered electoral process.

Motion carried

Substitute resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #301)

House of Deputies

The House of Deputies Committee on Social Justice and United States Policy presented its Report #25 on HB Message #301 on Resolution D003 (Addressing the issue of Voter Suppression) and moved concurrence.

Motion carried

The House concurred

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #385)

Resolution Concurred by Both Houses, July 13.

Abstract:   The 79th General Convention calls on governments to cease voter suppression and gerrymandering and to implement policies to enhance increase voter participation, and reaffirms that all voters must be equally represented regardless of race or ethnicity.