On Oct. 6, the leadership council of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, based in Monroe, issued the following statement:
As IHM Sisters, we are troubled by two recent efforts to discourage citizens from exercising their right to vote. Our first concern is the effort to sow confusion about the safety and security of voting by mail and early voting and that our national elections, constitutionally required to be run by each state, are not “free and fair.” On the contrary, when challenged, states have documented the accuracy of their election results, and these results have proven time and again that all eligible votes are represented in their final counts.
On January 16, 2022, the Leadership Conference of Women Religious and the National Black Sisters’ Conference issued a joint statement calling for the protection of voting rights for all Americans. They noted that “As women of faith and faithful Americans, we are committed to protecting the God-given dignity and rights of all people.” In their statement, they underscored Dr. King’s premise that all people “have the right to dignity and the duty to participate fully in our democracy, no matter their race, background, or zip code. Most precious among these rights and duties is the sacred right to vote. Today, that right is threatened by those who seek to make voting more difficult and elected officials less accountable.” Much to our disappointment, that threat continues to this day.
Our second concern involves the Supreme Court’s April 2026 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which significantly changed how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act can be used to challenge congressional redistricting. The 1965 Voting Rights Act has long served as an important protection against discrimination in voting. The Court’s decision makes it more difficult to challenge some electoral maps under Section 2.
Our democracy is a gift, and preserving it is a responsibility. Our Church reminds us that every person possesses inherent dignity and participation in the life of society is a moral obligation. The right to vote is the most powerful non-violent tool we have and an essential way for us to participate in our democracy and exercise our responsibility to preserve it.
Voting is sacred. In this election season, we urge all citizens to vote. We invite you to join us by holding in intention and prayer the protection and exercise of the sacred right to vote. We ask you to commit to this contemplative practice to help bring about a more just and inclusive world.
Leadership Council of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe, MI
Sr. Maxine Kollasch, IHM
President
Sr. Ann Oestreich, IHM
Vice President
Sr. Kathy Onderbeke, IHM
Treasurer
Sr. Lisandra Pedraza-Burgos, IHM
Mission Councilor
