Voting is one of the most important responsibilities and privileges of our citizenship. It is an opportunity to help shape the future of our communities, our state and our nation. It also is a privilege we never should take for granted. Generations of Americans have fought, sacrificed and even given their lives to preserve the right to cast a ballot and have a voice in the direction of our government.
But voting is more than showing up at the polls and selecting a name. And it is more than using a biased voter guide to check all the boxes on your ballot. Voting requires thought, discernment, personal responsibility and a willingness to look beyond political slogans, party loyalty and campaign rhetoric.
Barry Howard
Several years ago, a well-intentioned church member asked who I thought they should vote for. I replied by giving them a few suggestions on what to look for when considering the candidates, but I refused to tell them for whom they should cast their ballot. Their response was, “You’re not making this easy, are you, Pastor?”
As a pastor, I have been committed to encouraging people to vote, but I never have told church members who I was voting for or which candidate they should vote for. I have, however, always encouraged them to think carefully and prayerfully before they vote.
In an age when political division seems to dominate so much of our public conversation, it’s more important than ever to use wise spiritual and intellectual discernment. Choosing whom to vote for never has been more difficult because there seem to be more candidates running for office who invoke a lot of God language but who are not connected to any spiritual community and who do not demonstrate in their personal or professional lives any evidence of the ethics or morals taught in the Scriptures.
Perhaps one of the most important things we can do before we vote is to pause, think for ourselves and remember what kind of leadership we want and need.
Here are 10 ways to help you prepare to cast your ballot:
“One of the most important things we can do before we vote is to pause, think for ourselves and remember what kind of leadership we want and need.”
Vote for the person you believe is the best candidate, regardless of party affiliation. Political parties have an important place in our democratic system, but a party label never should be a substitute for independent and conscientious discernment. Don’t automatically vote for someone simply because that person has a D or an R beside their name. Consider the individual, their qualifications, their character and their vision for public service.
Vote for candidates who offer solutions rather than merely denigrating their opponents. It is easy to point out problems, assign blame and demean political opponents. It is much more difficult to develop thoughtful proposals and explain how to make things better. Look for candidates who have clearly and positively presented their plans of action. Ask whether they offer a constructive vision for the future or simply spend their time telling us whom to blame for the past.
Vote for candidates who demonstrate character and integrity. Yes, character counts! Leadership requires more than charisma, public speaking skills or the ability to attract attention by emotive rather than substantive issues. It requires honesty, humility, consistency, accountability and integrity. Pay attention to how candidates treat people who disagree with them, how they respond to criticism and whether their actions match their words. Character matters because the person we elect will be entrusted with responsibilities that affect the lives of countless others.
Consider a candidate’s position on multiple issues, not just one. It is tempting to make a voting decision based on a single issue that matters deeply to us. But public leadership involves a broad range of responsibilities. Consider where candidates stand on the economy, education, health care, public safety, infrastructure, national security and other matters that affect the people they represent. A candidate’s position on one issue should not automatically determine your judgment about everything else.
Listen to what the candidates say and not merely what their opponents say about them. Don’t allow an opponent’s campaign advertisement or a political commentator to define what a candidate believes. Read the candidate’s actual statements, examine the published platform and listen to interviews and public appearances. In an age when information can be edited, distorted and taken out of context, it is important to hear the whole story before reaching a conclusion.
When considering candidates who have previously held office, examine their record of service. And if it is a candidate’s first time running for office, look at the work history or career track. Campaign promises are easy to make, but a record of public service provides something more substantial to evaluate. Have they followed through on their commitments? Have they served the interests of their constituents? Have they demonstrated sound judgment when confronted with difficult decisions? Past performance does not guarantee future success, but it can offer valuable insight into a candidate’s leadership skills.
Vote for problem-solvers, not political combatants. We need public servants who are more interested in addressing the challenges we all face rather than scoring political points. Pay attention to whether candidates offer workable solutions, seek common ground and demonstrate a willingness to compromise when appropriate. Governing is not a perpetual campaign, and public office should not become an opportunity for political gamesmanship or retaliation against opponents.
“We need public servants who are more interested in addressing the challenges we all face rather than scoring political points.”
Vote for candidates who know how to work with others, even those across the aisle. The ability to collaborate with people who hold different opinions is an essential quality of effective leadership. Our elected officials do not have to agree with everyone, but they should be willing to listen, build relationships and work across party lines when the common good is at stake. A candidate who cannot work with others may have difficulty accomplishing much of anything.
Vote for candidates who put the welfare of their constituents ahead of their political party or personal advancement. The purpose of public office is to serve the public, not to advance one’s political career or strengthen the standing of a political party. Consider whether candidates demonstrate a genuine concern for the people they represent, including those who did not vote for them. Good leadership is measured not simply by political victories but by the difference made in people’s lives.
Vote for candidates who demonstrate the courage to stand on principle, even when it means disagreeing with their own party. It is easy to follow the party line when doing so is politically convenient. It takes greater courage to speak up when you disagree with members of your own party, challenge an established position or hold political allies accountable. We need leaders in both major parties who are willing to do what they believe is right, even when it comes at a political cost.
How do we become more informed, conscientious and discerning voters?
The Bible offers a timely word of wisdom in 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test everything; hold fast to what is good.” We should examine what we hear and double-check the stories we’ve been told.
A healthy democracy depends upon citizens who are willing to think independently, engage respectfully and participate responsibly. We don’t have to agree on every issue to share a commitment to the common good. In fact, our democracy is strongest when people with differing convictions can disagree without becoming enemies.
This week, exercise your right to vote. Take your responsibility seriously. Be as informed as possible. Consider the candidates carefully. And remember these 10 practices as you prepare to mark your ballots.
Vote your conscience. Vote your convictions. Vote your hopes for the future. But before you vote, think. And respect those who think differently than you.
After all, the freedom to vote is a precious privilege. And we have a responsibility to use that freedom wisely and to work together to make our nation and our world a better, safer and more peaceful place to live.
Barry Howard is a retired pastor who now serves as a leadership coach and consultant with the Center for Healthy Churches. He and his wife, Amanda, live on Cove Lake in Northeast Alabama.