On the first day of early voting regarding the pending referendum on gambling expansion in Kanawha County - table games at the Tri-State Racetrack and Gaming Center - many churches are plannig "VOTE No! Ear" drives.

To kick off the campaign many pastors are gathering at 10:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church, 600 West Kanawha Blvd. and taking the trolley to the early voting polling place.

While several churches and ministerial associations throughout the county have already announced their VOTE NO! Early days, others will be discussed at a luncheon following the casting of their no votes on July 20.

The churches of Dunbar are planning to have a "VOTE NO! Early" drive on July 24. In Belle churches are holding a drive on August 2.

In addition to conducting "VOTE NO! Early" drives several communities in cooperation with community groups and the faith community are planning rallies beginning on Saturday, July 21, 6:00 p.m., Oakes Field, South Charleston. Two rallies will be held on July 29, one in St. Albans, Maranatha Fellowship Church, 4:00 p.m. and in Nitro, Twin City Bible Church at 5:00 p.m. Churches in Belle are planning a turnout the no vote rally on the evening of August 1.

Commenting on the many activities surrounding the efforts to defeat the referendum, the Rev. Dennis Sparks, executive director of the West Virginia Council of Churches said, "There are so many people and so many groups organizing around this issue, it is like herding cats, but they are good cats who are gaining the momentum to win the no vote and defeat the referendum."

Disclaimer: While announcing the many activities centered upon the defeat of the August 11 referendum, the West Virginia Council of Churches is not responsible for the activities of many individuals and groups who are acting upon their own in this campaign.