FROM THE GALLERY
State Legislation
Primaries:
The primaries are over and in some districts the issues played an important role. School funding, fiscal policies, and the marriage amendment as well as the abortion issue caused several incumbents to go down in defeat. These elections give “we the people” a chance to express our views. The primary is when the precinct representatives are chosen and, in Kansas, whoever wins the precincts rules the parties. This is especially important because there is a split between “moderates” and conservatives in both parties. In Johnson County, 30 percent of registered voters cast a ballot in the primaries. That is an abysmal record, considering how easy it is to vote these days. We urge you to register, urge others to register and then get out the VOTE.
The upcoming election has great differences in philosophy and in implementation. Our most recent Family Concerns has excerpts from the Democrat National Platform and we will have the Republican Platform excerpted as well. Check it out on our Web site: Kansas.cwfa.org.
Churches and Politics:
In light of certain moderate organizations sending spies into the churches, you need to know what your church can and cannot do:
. They may educate on issues of public policy (abortion, taxes, education, etc.)
. They may urge their members to participate in the principles of government; responsible citizenship and may preach those issues from the pulpit, in Sunday school classes and sponsor seminars.
. They can provide literature for the purpose of education on issues.
. They may engage in some political activity as long as that activity is not more than an “insubstantial” part of its overall activity in terms of time and money and resources. Legislative activity that amounts to 5 percent of their total activities is considered safe. Anything between 5 and 20 percent could be subject to scrutiny by the IRS. Legislative activity is defined as any conduct intended to influence legislation, measures before city councils, or circulating petitions.
NOTE: This does not exclude individuals within the church from exercising their rights as citizens as long as they do not claim to be representatives of the church.
. A church may loan its membership or mailing list to another organization for the purpose of influencing legislation.
. A pastor may as an individual personally endorse or oppose a candidate.
. A pastor may lend his name to a candidate’s political advertisements or devote personal time to the election of that candidate.
. His title may be listed for informational purposes only.
. He must make it clear that he/she is stating his/her personal opinion, not the church’s.
. Candidates may be introduced to the congregation in the course of the church service.
. Candidates may be given the opportunity to preach, teach and read Scriptures in the course of the service just like any other church member.
. Public office holders may also speak to the church, but if in the process of an election, the above rules apply.
. A church may sponsor voter registration among its members on the premises.
. A church may spend money to pay registration organizers or to mail registration forms.
. Voter registration must be non-partisan.
. Voter’s guides must cover a wide range of issues and avoid editorial comment. The distribution of an incumbent’s voting record would also be appropriate, as long as the publication avoided editorial comments that would prompt a reader to vote for a specific candidate.
Election Activities not allowed:
. A church may not endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.
. A pastor cannot endorse or oppose a candidate for public office.
. A candidate may not be allowed to deliver a political speech, particularly to garner support or raise funds for a campaign.
. A church may not contribute money or raise funds for a candidate.
. Incorporated churches fall under the Federal Election Campaign Act and are prohibited from making contributions or expenditures in connection with a federal campaign.
. Candidates cannot use church facilities for political purposes because this could be construed by the IRS as a contribution. They may not use a church to meet with party officials or plan strategies for campaigns.
. A church may not loan its membership list to a candidate or political committee for use in an election campaign.
(Click here for a free download of CWA’s Political Guidelines for Pastors and Churches and other brochures.)