Press Release | Church Under Attack for Lawful Ballot Collection
ADVOCATES FOR FAITH & FREEDOM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: mONDAY, nOVEMBER 25, 2024
CONTACT: Nicole Velasco
NVELASCO@FAITH-FREEDOM.COM
Red Bluff, CA – Earlier this month, Pastor Greg Phelps and his church, Calvary Chapel Red Bluff, became the target of misleading allegations and sensationalist media coverage following their participation in lawful ballot collection during the recent election. The church, like many others, offered its congregation a convenient way to exercise their voting rights in full compliance with California’s laws. Despite this, media outlets such as the SF Gate have unfairly sought to paint this civic-minded initiative as questionable or improper.
The facts tell a different story. After meeting with the Tehama County District Attorney and Registrar of Voters, it was unequivocally confirmed that no laws were broken, no case exists, and there is no pending investigation. Pastor Phelps and his church strictly adhered to the legal procedures established by the state, which explicitly allows organizations, including churches, to engage in ballot collection. These laws, originally championed by progressive lawmakers, were designed to improve voter participation and accessibility.
“Churches like ours exist to serve the community, and that includes empowering our congregation to participate in the democratic process,” said Pastor Greg Phelps. “We just want to serve our people and positively affect our community. We will not be silenced or deterred by those who seek to distort our intentions.”
The media’s attacks are emblematic of a broader trend to vilify faith-based organizations that engage in lawful, civic-minded activities. These baseless accusations are not just a disservice to the church but also an attack on the democratic principles that ballot collection laws were designed to protect.
It is imperative to highlight that ballot collection is entirely legal and serves as a critical service to those unable to deliver their ballots directly. By following the law and fostering participation, the church demonstrated its commitment to civic engagement and the betterment of its community.
“Faith-based organizations must not be pressured or intimidated into abandoning their constitutionally protected rights,” said Advocates attorney, Robert Tyler. “The law applies equally to all groups, whether secular or religious, and these unfounded attacks against churches simply exercising their legal rights must come to an end.”
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Advocates for Faith & Freedom is a non-profit law firm dedicated to protecting constitutional and religious liberty in the courts. Our mission is to engage in cases that will uphold our religious liberty and America’s heritage and to educate Americans about our fundamental constitutional rights.