Church leaders endorse Reed ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Today, dozens of leaders of predominately black churches joined the parade of endorsements for Kasim Reed in the Atlanta Mayoral runoff.

Historically, churches are active when it comes to community affairs. However, there's a fine line when it comes to campaigns.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports

As a civil rights leader, former Mayor Andrew Young knows well the relationship between churches and politics. Young joined the clergy members in supporting Reed.

YOUNG: " We're here basically to give thanks to him, to praise God for his leadership and to promise him our wholehearted support."

In return, Reed reiterated his campaign pledge to re-open Atlanta's recreational centers.

REED: "So we're going to develop academies in our churches, day cares in our churches and we are going to connect life outcomes with the dreams that the kids see on TV again."

To do that, Reed will need more votes than Mary Norwood on December 1st. That's
where Rev. Jasper Williams of Salem Bible Church says he and his colleagues come in.

WILLIAMS "We have united as a people as clergymen and we are going to be calling for our people to vote for our people. For our people."

But how far can they go? Most churches and non-profits are 501 c3s meaning they're exempt from federal tax laws. To keep that status, the IRS' Mark Green says churches have to follow the rules.

GREEN: "All section 501 c3 organizations are absolutely prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in any political campaigns on behalf or against any candidate."

Green says churches can urge their members to register to vote and to cast ballots. But they can't show bias towards a candidate.

The church leaders say they know the federal rules well.

Charles Edwards, WABE News. © Copyright 2012, WABE