Representation Matters: Secular Elected Officials Speak Out

Meet the leaders of the newly established Association of Secular Elected Officials (ASEO), and find out how you can make a difference. Whether it's running for office, engaging with candidates and elected officials, or getting active in party politics, you can support the mission of ASEO and help grow the network of secular elected officials and the constituents supporting them.

At the beginning of 2016, there were only 10 legislators known to be publicly nontheist. Thanks to the efforts of the Center for Freethought Equality, the political and advocacy arm of the American Humanist Association, we have identified over 80 legislators at the federal, state and local level who identify with our community.

But demographics are not destiny—despite the fact that 26% of Americans are religiously unaffiliated Americans, we continue to be severely underrepresented in public office. We must increase our representation to eliminate the stigma of being openly nontheist and make sure we have a seat at the table to impact policy and voice our concerns.

The leaders on this panel include:

Leonard Presberg, School Board Member, Fayette County, Georgia

Sherry Dutzy, State Representative, Hillsborough, New Hampshire

Ron Millar, Political Coordinator, Center for Freethought Equality

Sarah Levin, Principal, Secular Strategies