As Election Day – Nov. 3 -- draws closer, many Catholics still may be wrestling with how they will vote in the general election.
Although every election is important, this year voters will be choosing their next president, as well as other candidates -- including members of the U.S. House of Representatives, some judges and county officials. They also will be casting ballots for state, local and county issues – depending on which of the eight counties of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland they live in.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic means an unprecedented number of voters are expected to cast their ballots by mail.
Voters should check the status of their registration with their county board of elections to ensure their address and other information is accurate. Those planning to vote by mail should request a ballot application soon as possible to ensure there is adequate time for the application to be received, processed and the ballot mailed, completed and returned before Election Day.
If you’re not registered to vote, Oct. 5 is the deadline to register in order to vote in this year’s general election. Absentee voting by mail and early in-person voting at your county board of elections begins on Oct. 6.
Additional election information is available from the Ohio Secretary of State’s office.
Those looking for guidance as they prepare to vote can check with the Catholic Conference of Ohio for election resources. The Conference does not endorse candidates but it does offer information to help voters make an informed decision.
When casting a ballot, the Conference urges voters to reflect on these things:
- The sacredness of human life – both unborn as well as the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, abandoned and underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, victims of human trafficking, now forms of slavery and every form of rejection.
- Applying a consistent moral framework – drawing attention to important issues including migration, xenophobia, racism, abortion, global conflict and care for creation. The threat of abortion remains a preeminent priority, but other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty cannot be dismissed or ignored.
- Prudential discernment – noting that the Church’s teaching is clear that a good end does not justify an immoral means. The common good should be advanced and the sanctity of human life – from conception to natural death – defended, as well as promoting religious freedom, defending marriage, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, welcoming the immigrant and protecting the environment – but not all possible courses of action are morally acceptable. Catholics have an obligation to carefully discern which public policies are morally sound.
- Serving as models of civil dialogue – especially in a context where discourse is eroding at all levels of society. Catholics should strive to understand before seeking to be understood, treat with respect those with whom they disagree, dismantle stereotypes and build productive conversation in places of vitriol.
The Conference also encourages voters to read and prayerfully reflect on the Faithful Citizenship document prepared in 2019 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Click here for a synopsis of reflections on choosing political candidates prepared by the Catholic Conference of Ohio.
The Conference, which was established in 1945, is the second-oldest bishops’ conference in the country. It represents the Church's position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations. The Conference also provides facilitation, coordination and joint programming for diocesan groups involved in various Church ministries.