Catholics are reminded that they have a civic duty to vote. That opportunity will occur on March 17 during the primary election.
Voters can cast a ballot for president in the partisan primary elections. There also will be a variety of other candidates and issues on the ballot, depending on the county, city, township or village in which the voter lives.
The polls are open 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. Those who are uncertain about where to vote or who might be interested in the vote early or vote by mail options can check with their local board of elections or the Ohio secretary of state’s office for more information. Voters also might want to double-check their assigned polling place since some have changed due to the coronavirus outbreak.
To help Catholic voters with their civic duty to vote, there are a number of resources available, many of which also are offered in Spanish.
The Social Action Office of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland has links to these resources. You can click a link on the page to check your voter registration status as well as find information about the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship initiative and the new Civilize It campaign. The Catholic Conference of Ohio also has a page devoted to Ohio election issues, as well as information about making moral choices.
The Catholic Conference of Ohio also provided this prayer before an election:
Lord God, as the election approaches, we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country, and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters, one and equal in dignity, especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned, men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your kingdom.
We pray for discernment so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word, live your love, and keep in the ways of your truth as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his apostles and guide us to your kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.