Shepherding Souls to the Polls, Baptists and Jews Head to the Ballot Box for Early Voting

Love thy neighbor – and cast thy ballot.

With these goals in mind, Baptists and Jews in Boca Raton held a “Souls to the Polls” event last Sunday, one of many events around Florida aimed at getting the faithful to exercise their right to vote during the early voting period.

Various churches in Pearl City, a historically Black district of Boca Raton, and Temple Beth El partnered with DISC (Developing Interracial Social Change) an interracial social change organization, and the Jewish Community Relations Council of South Palm Beach County to host a “Souls to the Polls” event on Oct. 27. They started at Ebenezer Baptist Church, which bears the same famous name as the Atlanta church where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preached from 1960 until his assassination in 1968.

Souls to the Polls started as an informal movement of faith organizations across the South to encourage Black voters to take advantage of the opportunity to vote early, in particular on a Sunday after Church. It has since spread to many states. Faith in Florida is organizing Souls to the Polls events all around the Sunshine state, until the end of the early voting period on Sunday Nov. 3. 

Souls to the Polls marches and rallies focus on ending voter suppression and intimidation, as well as sending a message that inspires people to utilize their power, minds and voices. 

At the recent event in Boca – which offered an option to walk or take a trolley specially designated for the occasion – leaders of the Baptist and the Jewish communities spoke about the importance of heading to the polls together. The community first gathered at the Ebenezer Baptist Church where the Reverend Ronald L. Brown and Rabbi Greg Weisman of Temple Beth El shared a few empowering words with the public. 

“This is a monumental moment because once upon a time our ancestors didn’t have the opportunity to vote, that’s why it’s so important to utilize our right,” said Rabbi Weisman from the pulpit.

The women at the polls were excited to participate in voting and even more eager to ensure that their voices were heard during this specific election, in which Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are setting out very different visions for America.

“I was raised to strongly voice my opinion on things that are of the utmost importance, especially if they impact my community,” said Marie Hester, President of DISC. Hester, who lives in Delray Beach, reiterated to all who would listen that this election is extremely important.

“I think what this country needs is an honest and authentic leader willing to guide us into a better, more developed society,” added Hester, 58. She mentioned abortions laws and the need for access to reproductive healthcare. Abortions are now banned in Florida after the sixth week or pregnancy.

Another voter expressed a similar opinion, indicating that she was particularly concerned about reproductive rights, which is on the ballot in the form of Amendment 4.

 “We need to separate government from religion because women who are in need of an abortion should have the freedom and free will to do it, instead of traveling to different states or countries and potentially putting themselves in danger,” said Aimee Levin, 42, from Boca Raton. 

“I look to Scripture to see what the Lord says first and foremost, then I see how the judicial system represents their policies and rulings and see if they align with the word,” she added when asked how religion influences her voting decisions.

The reverend and rabbi highlighted how critical it is for the faithful to come together and cast their votes. He also mentioned that going to the polls can be a confusing or even daunting experience for some voters. That’s why it makes it easier to go in a group of people with similar motives, and even better with a church such as Ebenezer, which provides free resources and information on different amendments and presidential candidates. 

“As a church we need to inspire others to use their voices because God gives us that voice for a reason,” Rev. Brown said.

His son Brian Smith, 25, a Fort Lauderdale resident, agreed. “The church is an important tool that brings the community together. It’s a movement because we brought people on the trolley or we all walked together in solidarity, so there you go.”