 | What a masjid can or cannot do in elections
- What a masjid can do:
- conduct non-partisan voter registration
- organize get-out-the vote efforts
- give khutbas on importance of voting in elections, running for an office, joining political parties and being active in politics
- educate Muslims, public and the candidates by inviting candidates through khutba, newsletters and meetings about issues important to Muslims, like civil rights, torture, etc
- allow candidates to have their programs in masjids as long as you are willing to allow all parties to participate
- rent mailing lists and other facilities at fair market value as long as you are willing to sell to all parties
- Imams, presidents and other leaders of masjid can endorse a candidate, join a party or run for an office but without using masjid resources
- What a masjid can't do:
- formally endorse a candidate through using masjid resources
- make campaign contributions from masjid finances
- make expenditures on behalf of candidates
- restrict their lists to certain candidates
- increase the volume or amount of candidate criticism at election time
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