Why Vote?

HoHum:

There was a cartoon where 2 men were sitting on a park bench, neither one is saying anything for several frames. The one man lets out a sigh. The other guy gets up and mutters, “Well, if you’re going to talk politics, I’m out’a here!” Not talking politics but the opportunity to vote.

Why should I vote? I’ve asked this question before. Who says I should vote? Does it make a difference? What if I don’t like the choice of candidates, should I still vote?

WBTU:

On Tuesday (November 6, 2022) we have an opportunity to vote. First need to register to vote. Thankful for the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security, their department of motor vehicles. When moved here they asked if I would like to be registered to vote. I said yes. Might want to make sure that registered to vote. Once registered, need to vote, 2/3rds of registered voters on average do not vote. When voting need to be informed about the candidates and the issues. Try to download a sample ballot and this has helped me. Downloaded one and found we have some Tennessee constitutional amendments on which to vote. To get a Christian perspective on these amendments, go to FACT, Family Action Council of Tennessee. Did not agree with some of the perspectives but at least came to understand these proposed amendments. Amendment #1 is about labor unions. Amendment #2 is about the Speaker of the state senate temporarily exercising the powers and duties of the governor of Tennessee if the current governor is unable to perform the duties of governor. Amendment #3 is removing language from the Tennessee State constitution about slavery. Amendment #4 is deleting a prohibition against ministers of the gospel from holding a seat in either House of the Tennessee legislature. Don’t worry, I am not going to serve in either House of the Tennessee State legislature. That covers the amendments. We are electing an individual to the US House of Representatives. We are also electing officials to the Tennessee State offices such as governor. Had no idea that there are 10 people running for governor of the state of Tennessee.

I love get out the vote campaigns. I hate it when those who are encouraging people to vote have an agenda. In other words, I want you to vote and when you go to vote I want you to vote for so and so... I do not have an agenda, I just want us to vote. In that regard, I love what Debbie Wuthnow of IVoterGuide.com said about voting. Go to that website, good information

Thesis: Why vote? 5 reasons

For instances:

1. Scripture reveals what government should look like

Is the Bible silent on government and elections? Far from it. Scripture tells us that God ordained civil government to be His servant for our good. “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” Romans 13:1-4, NIV. On the other hand, when government does not serve its God given purpose, the nation tends toward corruption. The influence of Israel’s kings on the people’s behavior is a prime example. We do not have a king, yes, but what our public officials do and believe makes a difference one way or another. “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.” Proverbs 14:34, NIV. How can we help in making our nation righteous? We must be salt and light. “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13, NIV. One of the ways we can be salt to flavor and even preserve the world around us is to influence who manages our government by participating in the election process and voting. Many times we are voting for the lesser of 2 evils but when we choose not to vote, we walk away from our chance to make a difference.

2. Scripture is clear that we need to be good stewards of all that God has given us- including our citizenship.