addition, 501(c)3 organizations may encourage people to participate in
the electoral process through voter registration and get-out-the-vote drives
conducted in a nonpartisan manner. On the other hand, voter education
or registration activities conducted in a biased manner that favors (or opposes) one or more candidates is prohibited.”
Churches can invite candidates to address their congregations. Churches can also sponsor voter-registration drives. However, nonprofit religious
institutions cannot give financial or moral support to specific political
candidates or recommend that the members of a congregation vote for a
particular candidate or political party. It is critically important that your
church, synagogue, or mosque make no appearance of backing any particular candidates.
Some groups, such as Bread for the World, are registered as 501(c)4
groups, a reference to a different provision in the tax code, one that permits more leeway in political undertakings. However, since Bread is a nonpartisan organization, we do not endorse any political party or candidates.
Of course, you have considerably more latitude as an individual, no
matter what group you belong to. For instance, you may wish to attend
a candidate forum and ask tough questions that give away y