Detroit Faith Leaders Help Boost Voter Turnout Through Community Push

A group of Detroit churches are addressing the city's low voter turnout through a bold campaign that started on Juneteenth. Their work stands out against the city's weak 16.5% primary election showing.

Through the combined efforts of eight different congregations, faith groups reached 7,000 residents. Their success has sparked plans to bring more churches into the effort before the next mayoral vote.

"If our voice is not heard, then our voice is not regarded. If our voice is not regarded, then people make decisions for our lives," Bishop Edgar L. Vann said per WXYZ 7 News Detroit.

Each church tackles voter apathy by meeting neighbors where they live. Pastor Maurice Rudds strikes back at claims that voting lacks impact. "And I think that is so destructive. I think it's a flat-out lie," Rudds told WXYZ.

Pastor Alonzo Bell points to a split between ballots cast and real change. "I believe the voter apathy comes from people believing their voice is not heard," he explained to WXYZ. "Sometimes when people feel like their lives aren't changing, it says to them that their vote didn't matter."

Local resident Christopher Graham shed light on low turnout. "You get to a place where you're like, 'I'm not going to vote because who am I going to vote for?'" he explained to WXYZ. His words touched on fears about safety and the worth of taxpayers' input.

The push links today's votes to past fights for rights. Carol Jackson makes this clear in her talks. "People have died for the rights of people to vote," she said to WXYZ. 

Following the success of their efforts, church leaders are launching a "phase two," reaching out to bring more faith groups into their growing movement. Leaders are hopeful voter turnout will increase even more.

"If you want change... You have to get the person in there that is going to change it for you," said Jackson to WXYZ.