Help! It’s election season, what does my church need to know?

All churches that are also considered 501(c)(3) organizations under the Internal Revenue Code are “absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office.”. But what does this “absolute prohibition” actually mean? Churches as an organization cannot: 1) endorse or oppose a particular candidate or 2) contribute church resources to a political candidate.

This “absolute prohibition” does not preclude pastors as individuals from endorsing or monetarily supporting candidates, but his or her actions must be clearly distinct from the church. The “absolute prohibition” also does not prohibit churches from encouraging their members to carry out their civic duties. Churches can also pass out non-partisan voter’s guides, invite all candidates in a race to speak or speak directly about specific issues and legislation.