"Your Vote Is Precious, Almost Sacred."

– Rep. John Lewis

In 2026, people of diverse faiths and beliefs are rising together to defend the sacred act of voting from intimidation, disinformation, and those who would decide our elections for us.

Interfaith Alliance (national) is launching The Vote Is Sacred 2026 bus tour on October 6 in Omaha. It is a nationwide effort to protect our democracy and mobilize people of faith to vote. The bus tour will be in Des Moines, Grinnell, and Cedar Rapids October 6-7.

Will you join us for The Vote is Sacred event nearest you?

Will you help us promote the public events? Please share event flyers and Facebook event pages with your house of worship, community networks, friends, and family!

• Tuesday, October 6, 7:00 PM, Des Moines
  Grace United Methodist Church, 3700 Cottage Grove Ave.
  Facebook event page | EVENT FLYER
• Wednesday, October 7, 11:45 AM, Grinnell
  Joe Rosenfield ’25 Center, Grinnell College, 1115 8th Ave. The Vote is Sacred Pizza Party! Students and everyone welcome!
  Facebook event page | EVENT FLYER
• Wednesday, October 7, 6:30 PM, Cedar Rapids
  St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 1340 3rd Ave SE.
  Facebook event page | EVENT FLYER

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
ST. PAUL'S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
1340 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids

in-person and virtual options

Iowa's cancer crisis

Kerri Johannsen
Senior Director of Policy and Programs, Iowa Environmental Council

Iowa has the second highest cancer incidence rate in the nation and is one of only three states where the rate is rising. While the U.S. has a declining overall cancer rate, Iowa's is sharply increasing. More than 170,000 Iowans share the experience of living with a past or current cancer diagnosis, and many more have lost loved ones to cancer. The “Environmental Risk Factors and Iowa’s Cancer Crisis” project was developed by the Iowa Environmental Council and The Harkin Institute based on feedback from hundreds of Iowans who are asking: What makes Iowa an outlier for cancer? What is unique about our state?

Kerri Johannsen, an author of this report who serves as Senior Director of Policy and Programs with the Iowa Environmental Council, will present findings on pesticides, nitrate, PFAS, and radon, and their associations with cancer in Iowa. In addition, she will share actionable ways you can get involved in the movement for change.

There are three ways to attend Intersections. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four boxed lunch options are available for $15: turkey & swiss on ciabatta, roast beef & cheddar on wheatberry, Greek Mediterranean wrap, and garden veggie salad. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Tuesday, September 29. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Intersections is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Cedar Rapids.

Join Interfaith Alliance and partners for a six-part webinar training series (August 25–September 30) designed to support you in meeting this moment: from de-escalation at the polls, to a showcase of volunteer opportunities, and trusted-messenger and Vote411 training. More information and webinar links on the Interfaith Action Fund website.

Interfaith Alliance Know Your Rights: ICE, Houses of Worship, & RFRA training module. We encourage you to train up for faithful resistance. Watch here.

Watch the webinar series and get trained up for faithful resistance. Because in 2026, the vote is sacred, and democracy needs people of faith.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16
11:45 AM - 1:00 PM
Plymouth Congregational Church
Waveland Hall
4126 Ingersoll Ave, Des Moines

in-person and virtual options

Amendment 1: Vote NO

Kylie Spies, Senior Policy Advocate, Common Good Iowa
Melissa Peterson, Legislative and Policy Director, Iowa State Education Association

There are three ways to attend Crossroads. Registration is required for all three:

• Attend in person (with lunch) by clicking here. Four bag lunch sandwich options are available for $15: turkey, roast beef, ham salad, and vegetarian. You must pre-order and pay for your lunch by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 14. Late orders or walk-in requests for lunch will not be available.
• Attend in person (no lunch) by clicking here. There is no cost for this option, but we must have your RSVP to ensure we have enough seating.
• Watch via YouTube by clicking here. This online presentation will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel.

Crossroads is a monthly gathering of the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa in Des Moines.

“Our vote is our power.
Through our votes,
elections make our voices heard.”

– League of Women Voters

We couldn’t agree more! Voting is power and one of the most important ways to be heard in a democracy. Ensuring everyone eligible can vote is critically important. It is work that Interfaith Alliance of Iowa is committed to support.

Learn more on the Interfaith Action Fund website about how to register to vote, important election dates, and how you can volunteer to help with ensuring every voter can cast their ballot in Iowa’s upcoming mid-term elections.

Below are ideas for how you can get in good trouble!

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR U.S. SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES

Senator Joni Ernst
(202) 224-3254 (https://www.ernst.senate.gov/contact)

Senator Chuck Grassley
(202) 224-3744 (https://www.grassley.senate.gov/contact)

Representative Marianette Miller-Meeks (1st Congressional District)
(202) 225-6576 (https://millermeeks.house.gov/contact/offices)

Representative Ashley Hinson (2nd Congressional District)
(202) 225-2911 (https://hinson.house.gov/zip_authentication?form=/contact)

Representative Zach Nunn (3rd Congressional District)
(202) 225-5476 (https://nunn.house.gov/contact/offices/)

Representative Randy Feenstra (4th Congressional District)
(202) 225-3193 (https://feenstra.house.gov/contact/offices)