I remember learning about voting and how important it was at a very young age. First from Mr. Maez in Civics class, and from my father who was involved in politics.
In junior high, we had the opportunity to run for student government. The positions to run for were President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Those who decided to run for any of these positions were required to take a class on what it meant to be in each of these positions, what was required, and the responsibilities associated with each. This was in conjunction with what was being taught in Civics.
Once you were officially on the ballot, it was time to write speeches, put your campaign team together, and decide what your platform and vision of the school looked like for the position you were running for.
Like any campaign, there were many “promises” being made, from better lunches (which were already great; my grandmother was one of the cooks) to longer recess times, from shorter class times to better field trips.
Could a junior high student government be able to fulfill any of these campaign promises? It all depends. The real question lies in the ability and grit of those running for office. You listen to their speeches, you see their campaign posters throughout the school, and then somewhere in between, you have to decide which candidate you are going to back.
Were you going to vote for them because of your friendship, or because you believed they could fulfill what they set out to accomplish? Were you going to vote for the “popular” kid because they were handing out candy with their campaign buttons, and this was your opportunity to be part of the “in” crowd?
Not much has changed since then. Promises are made. Some you could believe; some are just so far-fetched that you wonder what planet they are living on. Lowering taxes, increasing the amount of the PFD, term limits, school choice, health care—and the list goes on. What are we to do with all of this? We all want something from our candidates, especially if it is something we are passionate about.
First of all, the onus lies on the individual to do the research, not only of the candidates themselves, but of the issues at stake in the election. There are certain questions you should be asking yourself: Are these candidates telling the whole truth about what they are proposing, or are they half-truthing it to get you on their side? Are they using their platform to forward their own agenda? Are there issues that your candidate stands behind that you disagree with, and are you willing to compromise your belief system and go with them?
When the mudslinging begins, sometimes the real character of the person really comes out. Politics is a very dirty business to get into.
Now, let us see what it means to vote as a Christian, and the responsibility that comes with it.
To vote as a Christian is to bring a conscience, formed by faith, to a decision about the common good. It means judging candidates and policies by how they affect human life and dignity, justice, and peace—not simply by party loyalty, personal advantage, or one favored issue. It does not mean that the Church chooses a candidate for you or that every political question has one obvious Catholic (Universal) answer.
Do we vote, as the saying goes, “for the lesser of two evils?” The answer is no. The way to look at it is that there are no perfect people or candidates. We are all flawed in one way or another, and some definitely more than others. Some will pander to their constituents by making superficial, insincere gestures toward a specific culture or group, just to gain political support. They will go as far as to compromise their own belief systems to pull you over to their side. When a person or candidate is willing to do that, run—run as far away from them as you can. Because if they are willing to do that for a vote, how much more will they compromise themselves if they get into office. You simply cannot trust someone when they are speaking out of both sides of their mouths.
Voting as a Christian means asking: What moral goods and evils are involved? Which positions threaten human life or dignity? What do the candidates’ records, character, and capacity to govern suggest? What would my vote support or help bring about? Then make the decision with an informed conscience, resisting both blind party loyalty and the temptation to reduce Catholic moral teaching to a single issue.
So, voting as a Christian is neither “vote for the candidate my group tells me to” nor “vote for whoever benefits me most.” It is an effort to act responsibly for the greater good of others, guided by faith and a conscience willing to weigh the full range of moral concerns.
A few things to remember:
- Be conscious of each candidate’s stance on moral issues.
- Endorse the candidate that will lessen the evil and work for the greater good.
- Respect the process and vote.
- Never compromise who you are as a voter.
- Always look to the greater good when you cast your vote.
- Do not be influenced by empty promises.
- Every vote that is cast can and will determine the future of our society.
- Trust and earnestly pray for an honest election.
- The time to exercise your civic duty is now.
Entrust this election’s outcome to God Almighty.
Live your life worthy of His Sacrifice +
God bless you +
If you have not voted yet, make your plan and go vote!
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