The Rev. James A. Hailey III believes voting is an expression of faith — and an opportunity to put that faith in action.
“We always believe in faith, but in faith in action, not faith that sets still and does nothing,” said Hailey, pastor of AME Allen Chapel in Galesburg for the last eight years.
Hailey said the African Methodist Episcopal church believes in civil rights and social action. He said AME churches have been involved with getting out the vote since the 1960s, encouraging Black congregations to see civic participation as an extension of their faith.
“We try to remind them that it’s our civic duty and this is something God wants us to do as well,” Hailey said. “Even if you are not in unity or one accord, you need to work for the betterment of the whole society.”
From noon to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, AME Allen Chapel will host a Souls to the Polls event in partnership with Galesburg NAACP Branch 3016-B and other local Black churches.
Souls to the Polls is a Black church tradition with roots in the civil rights movement, where religious leaders mobilize churchgoers to head to the polls after services on the Sunday before Election Day.
In Galesburg, AME Chapel happens to be just down Tompkins Street from city hall, where the election commission will be open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 1. After voting, there will be Hailey’s chili, other refreshments, and fellowship at Allen Chapel.
Hailey said it’s not about telling people who to vote for, but highlighting the importance of voting and celebrating the right to vote.
“We’ve heard in the past that, well, my vote didn’t count. Or people say, it doesn’t matter. It does matter. It matters because you voted. It don’t matter if you don’t vote,” Hailey said. “Put your faith in action, let your voice speak through a vote.”
Hailey said this will be the third time AME Allen Chapel has hosted a Souls to the Polls event since he’s been in town.
David Amor of NAACP Galesburg’s political action committee said the organization regularly partners with Black churches on Souls to the Polls, and it’s possible to do it on a Sunday because the election commission is open for early voting.
“It has usually been on this Sunday before Election Day. We’re grateful for the election commission for actually doing that. Not all locations have that opportunity,” Amor said.
Amor said NAACP Galesburg has asked local pastors to announce the event to their congregations and some churches will be bringing vans of people to participate. He said they’ve also distributed posters and contact information.
“If there are people who separately need a ride, we can do that as well,” Amor said. “We will do as much as we can.”
To participate in Souls to the Polls, Amor and Hailey said first go to city hall and cast a ballot.
Then head east on Tompkins Street.
“Second thing is if you’d like to come and enjoy some food, that’s going to be free,” Hailey said. “And if it’d be nice to talk to candidates or other people who are citizens and your friends, then that’s a good time to do it.”
Hailey said Souls to the Polls is a great opportunity to get out the vote, but the AME church’s advocacy for civic participation goes well beyond the Sunday before Election Day.
“We have to do it all year long,” Hailey said.
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
