“…no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.” U.S. Constitution – Article VI, Section 3
***See our guide for atheist, humanist, and allied candidates***
Embracing Humanist and Atheist Candidates and the Growing Acceptance of Our Community in Politics
The Constitution explicitly forbids any religious test for public office, yet being an atheist in the political arena has historically carried a powerful taboo. However, the tide is turning, thanks to shifting demographics that reveal a significant increase in religiously unaffiliated Americans.
The Pew Research Center refers to this group as “nones,” encompassing individuals who identify as atheists, agnostics, or having no religious affiliation. According to Pew, the percentage of “nones” has risen from 16 percent of the U.S. population in 2007 to 29 percent in 2021, with even higher figures among the Millennial and Generation Z populations.
Pew projects that if recent trends persist, “nones” may equal or surpass the number of Christians in the United States by 2070. The community of just atheists and agnostics is already as large as the Jewish, Muslim, Mormon, Orthodox Christian, Buddhist, Jehovah’s Witness, and Hindu communities combined!
Public attitudes towards atheist candidates have also evolved. Gallup polls conducted since 1958 have measured American sentiment regarding voting for a well-qualified atheist presidential candidate. Initially, only 18% expressed willingness to support such a candidate. However, in 1999, a slim majority indicated their openness to voting for an atheist candidate, and by 2019, that figure had increased to 60%.
Levels of acceptance vary significantly among different generations, with 72% of those aged 18 to 34, 57% of those aged 35 to 54, and 54% of those aged 55 and above indicating their willingness to vote for an atheist presidential candidate. Political party affiliation also plays a role, with 71% of Democrats, 66% of independents, and 42% of Republicans expressing openness to voting for an atheist candidate.
The Center for Freethought Equality has conducted polls that demonstrate the decline of the bias against members of the humanist and atheist community. This changing landscape presents an opportunity for atheists, agnostics, humanists, and other freethinking individuals to run for office and serve as nonreligious Americans in elected office.
If you are considering running for office as a secular individual, here are some helpful guidelines to consider:
Evaluate your skills, interests, and available time to determine the most suitable elected or appointed public office for you. Seek input from family, friends, and political contacts to identify the best position to pursue and the optimal timing for your candidacy.
Understand the type of campaign you are undertaking. It could be running to win, targeting a weak incumbent or an open seat, or running to educate, aiming to promote policy issues and challenge biases against humanists and atheists while facing an entrenched incumbent.
Familiarize yourself with campaign resources and regulations. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) provides information for federal campaigns, while your state's Secretary of State offers guidance on state campaigns, including election calendars, laws, filing procedures, and campaign finance. In addition, local election procedures and requirements can be obtained from your city or county government.
Tap into resources provided by national, state, and local political parties. Additionally, candidate endorsements and targeted leadership and electoral training programs are offered by organizations such as the FFRF Action Fund (for freethinkers), Progressive Caucus PAC, Justice Democrats, Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC), Leaders We Deserve, MoveOn PAC, 314 Action (for scientists), Run for Something (for individuals under 35), Victory Fund (LGBTQ+), Emerge America (women), Emily List (women), Elect Democratic Women, the Latino Victory Project, BOLD PAC (Hispanic), School Board Integrity Project, and Local Democracy Project.
Take advantage of training programs like Indivisible Action, re:power, and Emerge America, which provide candidate training sessions. You can do it - run for office!
Remember, you can run for office! So embrace the opportunity, and let your humanist and atheist identity drive positive change in our political landscape.
