What Churches May Legally Do:
- Conduct non-partisan voter registration drives
- Distribute non-partisan voter education materials, such as Christian Coalition, WV Family Foundation voter guides and scorecards
- Host candidate or issue forums where all viable candidates are invited and allowed to speak
- Allow
candidates and elected officials to speak at church services; if one is
allowed to speak, others should not be prohibited from speaking
- Educate members about pending legislation
- Lobby
for legislation and may spend no more than an insubstantial amount of
its budget (five percent is safe) on direct lobbying activities
- Endorse
candidates in their capacity as private citizens - A pastor does not
lose his right to free speech because he is an employee of a church
- Participate fully in political committees that are independent of the church
- May support and contribute to non-profit 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations in any amount but no more than 10% of total income
Prayerfully consider taking WVFF on for monthly mission support
What Churches May NOT Do:
- Endorse candidates directly or indirectly from the pulpit on behalf of the church
- Contribute funds or services (such as mailing lists or office equipment) directly to candidates or political action committees (PAC)
- Distribute materials that clearly favor any one candidate or political party
- Pay fees for partisan political events from church funds
- Allow candidates to solicit funds while speaking in church
- Set up a political committee that would contribute funds to political candidates
