Poll Chaplains
In an election season filled with polarization, misinformation, and tension, we need trusted messengers. Clergy and vowed religious often play this role in communities and are invited to act as poll chaplains at their local polling locations. Poll chaplains provide spiritual care, a peaceful presence, a sense of security, and a calming influence at the polling place. Faith leaders employ their pastoral and interpersonal skills with those present at the polls while monitoring the polls for any signs of voter intimidation or suppression. Through the Wisconsin Council of Churches’ partnership with the Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign (WIVEC), poll chaplains will be trained in the Wisconsin voting context, ICE watch, and logistics. We will coordinate with local election monitoring programs and other partners to assign poll chaplains and assistants to needed locations, provide support on election day, and communicate with election clerks.
Registration for the 2026 November election will open in August.
We will offer online opportunities to complete the required training to be a poll chaplain. Partnering with All Voting is Local and the Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign, the Wisconsin Council of Churches will equip you to understand the Wisconsin context of elections and your role as a poll chaplain.
NEW! For the 2026 November election, we are inviting volunteers who are not ordained clergy to serve as poll chaplain assistants and join our poll chaplains across the state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be ordained clergy to be a poll chaplain?
Poll chaplains are ordained clergy, vowed religious, or faith leaders who have taken Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) or the equivalent. If you do not meet these requirements, we invite you to serve as a “poll chaplain assistant”.
Do I have to be Christian clergy to be a poll chaplain?
No, this is a project done in partnership with the Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Campaign and so we invite clergy and vowed religious of all traditions to participate.
Do I have to commit to the full day?
No, you can choose the block of time that works for you. Ideally, we would like you to be available at peak times—when the polls open, lunchtime, and the last few hours of the day.
Can I bring a friend?
Yes, we encourage people to work in pairs. This year we have a new role of “poll chaplain assistant” to help ensure people are not alone at the polls.
Should I wear anything special?
Wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather. If you have a collar or other identifying garb, please wear it. We will supply you with a reflective vest and other branded items that identify you as a member of the Poll Chaplain Project.
Why are clergy doing this? Don’t we believe in the separation of Church and State?
Clergy and vowed religious are invited to act as poll chaplains because they are often trusted messengers in their communities. They are present to add a calming presence and trust to the process. They are not there to proselytize or preach.
I completed training with another organization (such as Faiths United to Defend Democracy), should I also attend this training?
If you have registered with another organization to be a poll chaplain, you are welcome to also participate in our training. But please let us know that you are working with them so that we do not also assign you to a polling location.
“This is a natural extension for the care that we have for the greater community regardless of faith traditions. Our sole job is to provide peace and calming care for those who are waiting in line and to be of assistance any way we can. I’m not there to care for one side or the other, but for every individual who has chosen to be a voter.” - Rev. Karen Hagen“I appreciated the intentionality which came with being trained on de-escalation techniques and situations which might arise on election day. Being paired with another faith leader at a polling site and being given phone numbers for resources added to my sense of feeling prepared to respond should a situation arise.”- Rev Kris Gorton
“I appreciated the intentionality which came with being trained on de-escalation techniques and situations which might arise on election day. Being paired with another faith leader at a polling site and being given phone numbers for resources added to my sense of feeling prepared to respond should a situation arise.”- Rev Kris Gorton
If you have additional questions, please contact us.
The Poll Chaplain Program is done in partnership with the Wisconsin Council Of Churches and the Wisconsin Interfaith Voter Engagement Project (a program of Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice).