Today is Election Day and both early and mail-in voting has been underway in Nevada for weeks.

As faith leaders of Nevadans for the Common Good working with leaders in our communities across all political persuasions, we call on citizens to exercise the important right to vote, and to do so with confidence in the integrity of our state’s election process, regardless of your party affiliation or the manner in which you vote.

There have been many accusations and attempts to cast doubt on the election process and how ballots are counted. We believe these are misguided.

We have met with election officials, many of our leaders are trained poll workers, and we are impressed with how state and local officials have organized an orderly and accessible election with appropriate accountability and safeguards.

We are impressed with measures that have been put in place to address the need for increased security and provisions for the pandemic. We applaud the automatic mailing of ballots to all registered voters, the number of early voting sites, and recruitment of additional volunteers.

We know that we are likely to see delays in final counts for any close races, and are confident in our local and state capacity to recount with integrity if it becomes necessary. It is important that decisions not be rushed and claims to victory or defeat not be prematurely declared. Every vote must count.

We need the cooperation of citizens, candidates, and parties. Whatever your political leaning, we encourage you to trust the process. Attempts to harass, disrupt, or otherwise suppress the right to vote of fellow citizens will not be tolerated. These would be an affront to the rule of law, and we will be among the first to denounce such behaviors.

Our traditions teach us the importance of prudence in our common life. May we enter this coming week with calm, with patience, and with reasoned minds. Allow our election officials to do their jobs, and above all assure that every vote is counted.

Rev. Daniel Morley, Superintendent, United Methodist Church

Rev. Bob Stoekig, Roman Catholic Diocese of Las Vegas

The Rev. Canon Catherine Gregg, Chief of Staff, The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada

Rabbi Malcolm Cohen, Temple Sinai

Rev. Jason Adams, Reformation Lutheran Church

Rabbi Sanford Akselrad, Congregation Ner Tamid

Rev. Carolyn Shannon, Deacon, St. Matthew/San Mateo Episcopal Church

Father Steven R. Hoffer, Pastor, Holy Family Catholic Church

Rev. Michael J. Eaton, Boulder City United Methodist Church

Rev. James Hobart, Deacon, The Episcopal Diocese of Nevada

The Rev. Shannon Leach, Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church

Deacon Tom Roberts, President and CEO, Catholic Charities

Rev. Ron Zanoni, St. Andrew Catholic Community

Pastor Jeremy Nausin, Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

The Rev. Carol Walton, St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church

Rev. Paul Hansen (retired), Reformation Lutheran Church

Rabbi Yocheved Mintz, Rabbi Emerita, Congregation P’nai Tikvah

Rev. Tim Hunsinger, Associate Pastor, Desert Spring United Methodist Church

Rev. Arthur Gafke, Pastor Emeritus, Reno First United Methodist Church

Rev. Daniel Maier, Deacon, Holy Family Catholic Church

Rev. Kristen Gallagher, Pastor-in-Charge, Reno First United Methodist Church

The Very Rev. Jeff Paul, Rector, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Carson City

Rev. David K. Devereaux, Pastor, Desert Spring United Methodist Church

Fr. Rafael Pereira, All Saints Episcopal Church

Deacon Mike Underwood, St. Viator Catholic Community

Rev. Veronica Galas, Deacon, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Carson City

The Rev. Rick Obrien, Epiphany Episcopal Church

The Rev. Bonnie Polley, Christ Church Episcopal

Rev. Jennifer Hageman, Trinity United Methodist Church

Rev. Terri L. Hubbard, University United Methodist Church