More than 2,000 churches across Texas joined the "Black Out Sunday" initiative on October 25 to encourage voter turnout during the 2026 midterm elections. The nonpartisan effort, organized by the African American Pastors Coalition of North Texas through IMPACT TEXAS 2026, exceeded its original goal of recruiting 1,000 churches.
Where
Statewide
When
Oct. 25, 2026
Sources
Reported by 2 outlets
Taxes and money
None stated in sources.
Coming up
Friday, October 30, 2026. Early voting in Texas ends (Texas)1
Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Election Day in Texas (Texas)1
Who's involved
African American Pastors Coalition of North Texasorganizer of Black Out Sunday initiative
Rev. Richie Butlerpresident-elect of the coalition and senior pastor of St. Luke Community United Methodist Church in Dallas
Rev. Parish Loweryleader at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Fort Worth
St. Luke Community United Methodist Churchparticipating church hosting event
Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Churchparticipating church hosting festival
The facts
More than 2,000 churches across Texas committed to the Black Out Sunday initiative.1
The initiative exceeded its original goal of recruiting 1,000 churches.1
Black Out Sunday encourages eligible voters to research candidates and issues, make a voting plan, and help others get to the polls.1
The initiative builds on existing Souls to the Polls efforts by churches.1
Early voting in Texas continues through Friday, Oct. 30, ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 3.1
More than 3 million Texans had already cast ballots during early voting as of Oct. 25.2
Participating churches may organize transportation, distribute polling information, and encourage members to vote together.1
St. Luke Community United Methodist Church hosted a parking-lot celebration with a DJ before congregants headed to the polls.1
Who said what
These are statements and claims made by the people involved. They are reported, not verified.
Rev. Richie Butler Black Out Sunday asks voters to prepare as seriously for voting as they do for Black Friday shopping.1
Rev. Richie Butler The initiative complements existing voter outreach rather than replacing it and builds on Souls to the Polls work.1
Valerie Smith It is better to vote early because anything can happen on Election Day.2
Fred Smith Voting is a God-given right and has been important in his family since before he was two years old.2
Rev. Parish Lowery Getting to the polls is a sacred duty and civic duty to bring about change in the community.2
How they headlined it
The same event, as each outlet put it. Marked words appear in only one outlet's headline.
Dallas church joins statewide ‘Black Out Sunday' voting initiative
These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.
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