How Should Christians Vote?

It’s 2024, and you know what that means. Americans are being forced to endure yet another presidential election. To kick off this election season, we recently had a presidential debate between former President Trump and President Biden, and it was hard to watch. So, so hard to watch. We can all argue over who lost that debate (America?), or we can use it as a reminder to think about our role in the election process and how it relates to our Christian faith. Hopefully, we will decide that it matters how Christians vote and act accordingly.

Should Christians Vote?

Understandably, many Americans feel jaded about our government, our representatives, and the voting process. Many of us have too many questions to feel confident in our government. Does our vote count? Are people cheating? Will that candidate stand up for my interests if he’s elected? How many of these conspiracy theories are fact? How much of the pandemic rhetoric was outright lies?

So, should everyone opt not to vote because of these questions? No. I think that only makes things worse. Americans, you need to vote. Vote for the president, but don’t neglect smaller elections, either. Your local representatives’ actions have more direct and immediate effects on your life than national representatives.

Despite the right and, as I see it, obligation to vote, there is a group of Christians who believe they shouldn’t participate in voting. But why?

Why Some Christians Don’t Vote

1. Separation Of Church And State

If I’m a Christian, then I don’t get mixed into “State issues” such as voting, right? Wrong. This well-intentioned expression, “separation of Church and State” has led to such confusion on both sides of the spectrum. While some would use it to keep any hint of Christianity out of anything the government touches, some Christians use it to excuse themselves from civic duty.

Sorry but that’s all wrong. The intent behind separation of Church and State is to avoid repeating history. We can find many examples throughout history of a marriage between a religion and the government that ultimately leads to forced religion, religious persecution, violence, etc. In the U.S., we are free to worship as we please, and our faith is not tied to the government at all. I am an American citizen and a follower of Jesus Christ. One doesn’t require the other.

That’s a long way to say that Christians are not disqualified from voting.

2. Unrealistic Expectations For Candidates

Believers can get pretty self-righteous when elections roll around. As it turns out, not one candidate displays the epitome of a Christian walk. In fact, many (if not all) of them are not truly born-again. Can you hear the outraged gasps and pearl-clutching? I sure can.

Hear me out. I would love, love, love to have representatives speaking for me who know the Lord as Savior. Why would I expect that, though? When only 33% of U.S. adults claim to be born-again Christians and as few as 3% of Americans have a biblical worldview, we need to have realistic expectations about who represents us in the government.

Also, keep in mind, thanks to separation of Church and State, our leadership in the government does not lead our churches. Your vote for President of the United States, for instance, is not also a vote for your Pastor-in-Chief. If you’re looking for Christian perfection, friend, you’ll never be satisfied with anyone in any position. Aside from Jesus, no one is perfect.

3. This Isn’t My Home

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,”

Philippians 3:20 (ESV)

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (emphasis mine)

1 Peter 2:11-12 (ESV)

“If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.”

John 15:19

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

John 18:36

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

Each one of these Scripture references makes it clear that we are citizens in God’s Kingdom. Believers often call themselves pilgrims, aliens, strangers, and sojourners because they understand they are just passing through this world until they can be face-to-face with the Lord. I don’t deny that, and I enthusiastically view myself that way, as well. However, where are we all living right now?

While We’re Here

We’re also citizens of this country, and we have a responsibility to be good ones while we are here. The Great Commission commands us to share the gospel and make disciples. These are Christian endeavors, to be sure, but we also have earthly concerns.

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.”

2 Peter 2:13-14 (ESV)

Plenty of my Patriot friends struggle with this. Be subject to our leaders? Yes. I do believe in exceptions, but generally speaking, we have to follow the laws given to us by these leaders. With that in mind, don’t you think it would be great to have a say in who those leaders might be? Wait! We do! And we have that say by voting…

I want the nation to be as God-honoring as it can be in this fallen world with our sinful leaders. I want to protect believers from persecution and maintain the freedoms our founders established for us. Voting allows me to participate in protecting our freedoms and creating a community in which people can flourish.

Should Female Christians Vote?

*deep sigh*

Yes, we’re having this conversation. I hope this isn’t an issue you’ve witnessed, but I have come across quite a few believers in person and online who don’t think women should vote. I’ll tell you why.

Women Shouldn’t Vote Because

1. Giving Women The Vote Caused Our Problems

More than half of all female voters will vote Democrat as of 2022. Meanwhile, we see the opposite voting trend among men. Generally, women are more likely to lean liberal on political issues, and a commonly blamed culprit is feminism. It shouldn’t be difficult to see, then, why some folks see female voters as the problem. Are they, though?

Pew Research claims, as of 2022, 54% of male voters will vote Republican. I wouldn’t exactly call men overwhelmingly Republican by that statistic. Not to mention, who is running our government? It’s not women…not by the numbers, at least.

Women in Congress: 28.32%

Statewide Elective Executive (e.g., governor, lieutenant governor): 31.9%

State Legislature: 32.9%

I’m not remarking on women in government. Actually, I’m not particularly interested today in the question: should they be in government positions or shouldn’t they? However, the same men who are complaining about women ruining our country through their voting record and female leadership should consider who is actually doing the leading. As of 2021, white males were approximately 30% of the population but 62% of the politicians holding office. I’m not saying it’s bad they have those roles, but I think it’s naive to assume these individuals aren’t a large part of the problem.

Are female liberals voting us toward a more liberal country? Yes. Liberal male voters are, as well. Of course, don’t forget the men and women who allegedly represent us but end up being shills for the agenda. Former President Barack Obama is a recent example of that. He was a liberal, to be sure, but he leaned moderate. By his second term, however, he just started pushing more and more liberal agenda. When the checks and balances built into the structure of our government didn’t favor his plans, he infamously reminded the entire world, “I’ve got a pen, and I’ve got a phone.” With those tools, he chose to work around Congress whenever possible.

My point is that the cultural and political issues we face today are far more nuanced than “women vote liberal more often than conservative, so they should stop voting.”

2. Women Are Under Their Husband’s Headship

The more concerning argument for Christian women to refrain from voting comes from many Christian women themselves. They argue that voting should be a one household vote. The idea here is that spouses are one flesh (Genesis 2:24), and they should act accordingly. I mean, this is ridiculous. Am I out of my mind for thinking that way? One flesh doesn’t mean the wife loses her autonomy.

The argument often includes the concern that she might not vote according to her husband’s wishes. This thinking is at best an example of severe micromanagement, and it’s indicative of control and abuse in the marriage at worst. She has a mind of her own and is free to vote as she will. In the case of a marriage in which the husband and wife agree that they should vote the same way, then the husband just needs to trust her. This whole argument gives me the ick.

Working The Numbers

(In order to move on, let’s assume those arguing for one vote from a Christian household aren’t led by the gross “Christian” men who make everyone think all Christian men are abusers and misogynists.) Every available Christian vote is a net positive for Christians. We live in a country that counts votes per individual, not by household. Why play the game with a different set of rules? That’s a set-up for believers to lose at the polls every single time. Every vote counts, so please don’t hobble conservative and Christian issues because you have some outdated principle. If you want to advertise your obscure convictions, could you do it when it doesn’t actively hurt the country? Asking for a friend.

How Should Christians Vote?

Well, I’m not going to tell you who to vote for because that’s not my place. I’ll be fully transparent with you just as I always try to be. I don’t like any current candidate. I personally think we’re watching elder abuse at play for our current President, and former President Trump isn’t what I would call a “good guy.” But that’s what we have. We could look to the third-party candidates, but none have a shot at victory and aren’t noteworthy, in my opinion. You can see it differently. Opinion, you guys.

No matter who you end up voting for this November in the presidential election or in the future for any number of elected positions, consider your choices carefully.

Before Casting Your Vote

1. Be Educated

Facebook and X are not solid sources for news. Branch out beyond social media reels, GIFS, and memes. Listen to the commentators and read articles from liberal and conservative perspectives. Visit the nominees’ websites to read firsthand what they stand for and believe. Watch debates and interviews. Be well-rounded on the issues, and form your own opinions on them.

Remember, mainstream media and influencers are trying to sell you a message. So, take the time to learn and decide what you believe is true in order to vote responsibly.

2. Be Skeptical

They’re lying to you. Who? Everyone. The Democrats. The Republicans. Mainstream media. Social media influencers. Candace Owens (maybe more than anyone). I don’t know if the lies are on purpose or a result of extreme bias, but just know that you need to take everything you hear with a grain of salt. Look for proof or evidence of claims and accusations, and be suspicious when someone doesn’t bring anything but hyperbolic language, self-aggrandizing speech, and empty rhetoric.

Voting is a thinker’s activity. So, think about it first.

3. Two Sides Of The Same Coin

Democrats and Republicans aren’t that different. Don’t assume that R next to someone’s name on the ballot means the person is a conservative. They might be more conservative than the other guy, but what’s that really saying?

At the debate in June, we had a big example of this. Do you remember former President Trump helped us put three conservative Supreme Court justices in place who would likely support overturning Roe V. Wade? That was amazing, and I am overjoyed that it was successfully overturned. But is Trump pro-life? Well, he said at the debate in June that he supports abortion for cases of rape, incest, and the life of the mother, and he also stated it’s important to “follow your heart” on the issue. This message is brought to you by the Democratic Party via 1995 and Disney.

I’m not here to take apart Trump. I do want to point out that even candidates we associate with conservativism are usually not as conservative as we think, though. Obviously, his take on abortion is better than the abortion-until-birth mentality, but it’s not as conservative as a lot of MAGA supporters have been told.

4. Be Realistic

No candidate is the answer to every problem. In fact, they often bring in new problems of their own. What can a politician do in a bloated governmental system? He can do some things but not all things.

Also, your preferences and the issues you care most about are not representative of all like-minded people. It’s unlikely you’re going to find a candidate that checks every single box for you. Look for a candidate who, overall, represents you best. In recent elections, you may have found that the “best” candidate doesn’t represent you that well. Then, I suggest you decide who you can vote for with a clear conscience. I, for example, don’t love Trump, but there was no way I could vote for Hillary Clinton in 2016. She stood for the opposite of what I did on nearly, if not all, issues. Trump was a wildcard for me, but I couldn’t reconcile my Christian faith with a vote for Clinton’s policies.

5. You’re Voting For Policies

The ballot will have names, but you’re really voting for policies. Truth be told, I think having a representative who people like is ideal. That person can work well with others to get the job done because he doesn’t put people off with his awful personality. Think about Vice President Kamala Harris for a moment. She’s incredibly unlikable. This is, in part, due to her incompetence, but we know that incompetence is a common trait among politicians. So, what else makes her unlikable? It’s her. It’s an X factor. She rubs people the wrong way, and she struggles to communicate in an authentic and human manner.

Australia gets it.

Can someone like Harris win elections? Absolutely because voters also think about the nominee’s policies (and a lot of people like hers). Will this person, as unlikeable as she may be, pass laws that I support and move this country in a direction I want? If yes, then even reprehensible human beings win big at the polls.

I would never suggest ignoring a person’s character and likability, but it’s more important to decide if you think that person can do the job.

6. Christ Is King

Our leaders impact our lives and the world we live in, but Christian, keep an eternal perspective. We’re only going to be here for a moment in light of eternity. Human leaders will come and go, but there is only one true King and that’s Jesus Christ.

We will vote with our Christian beliefs, morals, and consciences here on Earth, but no one can take the place of our Lord. Although we ought to take our elections seriously and participate responsibly, we can’t put all our hope and faith in our government. Jesus is still Lord no matter who wins an election, and He’s not surprised by who won. Rest in the knowledge that no one can take His throne from Him.

“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (emphasis mine)

1 Timothy 6: 12-16 (ESV)

Final Thought

Your vote is your business, but I do implore you to vote. Furthermore, I’m encouraging you to vote with reason, knowledge, and Christian conviction. That’s all I can do. However, in our current cultural climate of apathy and emotional exhaustion, I think we all need a reminder to get out and vote. Just don’t forget to take Jesus to the voting booth with you.

Do you vote? How do you prepare for it?

Image courtesy of Element5 Digital via Unsplash.