Elections can often feel at best, inefficient, and at worst, meaningless. Yet, a deep love for God and neighbor is the most powerful force to draw politically lukewarm Christians to the ballot boxes.
In the upcoming midterms, the vote of evangelicals could shape the course of the nation by determining who represents us in Congress.
In 2024, 49% of the over 212 million adults qualifying as a “person of faith” were unlikely to participate in the election. That means that approximately 104 million eligible votes from professing Christians were never cast. For reference, the contest between Presidents Trump and Biden in 2020 was decided by a mere 7 million votes.
If every Christian citizen had cast their ballot, they could have controlled the election.
Already, white evangelicals make up only 13% of the national population but roughly 20% of the voting population, according to the Public Religion Research Institute. Christians have every reason to be politically active, because we see something worth protecting.
We see the freedom of religion, speech, and assembly which allow us to openly worship. We see tendrils of grace and providence threading through the 250-year history of the country. We see the warnings in Scripture that righteousness crumbles when everyone does what is right in his own eyes.
The Christian understanding that love requires responsible stewardship of the vote ought to inform Christian civic engagement on Election Day.
Congressional policy will shape our lives whether we vote or not. The coming term could address hot-button issues like the economy, healthcare, and the sanctity of life. Plus, industry issues of particular concern to Christian media professionals — like communications guidelines, online safety regulations, and AI policy — will be decided by the leaders we elect.
Many of the ideologies gaining traction in politics today stand at odds with Christian values, threatening to undermine foundational conceptions of sexuality, property, and religion. Of course, not every Christian will agree on the best policy to uphold every biblical value. What we must remember is that We the People have the capacity to elect leaders who will defend our faith and family — and yet we also have the tendency to stay silent.
Turnout for midterm elections continues to average at below 30% of the eligible voting population. Frustration with politics alienates voters and lowers the numbers at the polls. Among people who voted in the 2024 elections, those who hold a dissatisfied view of their party are significantly less likely to vote this cycle than those with a positive view. Hopelessness bears the fruit of passivity.
However, Christians who attend local church services weekly are 25% more likely to vote than those who attend services monthly, let alone those who hold no religious convictions at all. Active love for God can draw Christians to engage with politics.
Love for family motivates voting on issues of marriage, abortion, and online safety. Love for freedom motivates voting to protect the application of the Bill of Rights. Love for neighbors motivates voting for leaders who will value and safeguard all that we hold dear.
Not everyone will be a statesman. Citizens must remain faithful servants in their local communities while remember that those local communities are affected by national elections.
Our Constitution gives us the unfathomable right to participate in the governance of our nation. Our faith compels us to seek wisdom and pursue it, to speak up for the oppressed, and to love our neighbors as ourselves.
If every Christian casts their vote for the leaders who will honestly represent their values, the nation would be transformed. But it requires that we all participate.
With the wellbeing of our communities and the fulfillment of civic responsibility on the line, Christians have the greatest reasons to be active in this year’s midterm election.