NBCI activates 4,000 Los Angeles churches for Karen Bass reelection push

The National Black Church Initiative has launched Project BIG VOTE to back Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in her 2026 reelection bid. The effort will use more than 4,000 churches for voter education, outreach and rides to the polls ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

Why it matters: - NBCI is turning its faith network into a get-out-the-vote operation for a major citywide race. - The effort could shape turnout among elderly voters, people with disabilities, first-time voters and residents of senior and low-income apartment communities. - NBCI says the campaign is aimed at issues including housing, education and health care.

What happened: - The National Black Church Initiative activated Project BIG VOTE in support of Mayor Karen Bass's reelection campaign. - NBCI previously endorsed Bass in June 2026. - NBCI says more than 4,000 churches will take part in the initiative. - Bass advanced from the June 2 primary and is on the ballot in the Nov. 3, 2026, Los Angeles mayoral general election.

The details: - Project BIG VOTE is designed to provide voter education, outreach, transportation to the polls and other voter-participation activities. - NBCI says the coalition includes 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities with 27.7 million members. - Rev. Anthony Evans, NBCI president, called Bass a compassionate leader for marginalized Los Angeles residents. - Evans said Bass has fought injustice throughout her adult life and has shown the kind of leadership NBCI believes the church and community need. - Evans also said he authorized over 4,000 churches to provide education, outreach, rides to the polls and other voter-participation activities through Project BIG VOTE. - Project BIG VOTE will give voters information about the voting process and issues affecting their communities. - Participating churches will focus outreach on elderly voters, people with disabilities and first-time voters. - The program will also provide information on issues NBCI and participating churches identify as important to their communities. - Participating churches will provide transportation to polling locations. - Outreach will include residents of senior and low-income apartment communities.

Between the lines: - NBCI is using its endorsement to convert religious infrastructure into an organized political mobilization effort. - The focus on transportation and targeted outreach suggests the group is trying to remove practical barriers to voting, not just signal support. - The push reflects how faith-based organizations can play a direct role in local elections when they have large, connected memberships.

What's next: - NBCI says its churches will carry out voter education, outreach and rides to the polls through Election Day. - Bass and NBCI supporters will be aiming to convert the endorsement into turnout in the November general election. - NBCI's social media channels and Anthony Evans are listed as points of contact for the organization.