Do we have to vote?

[mitheneb]

The presidential elections are coming again, and as usual I feel completely disenfranchised. I don't feel I can in good conscience support anyone, certainly not anyone with a chance of winning. As long as I can remember I have been on the horns of this dilemma, and my first presidential election was in 1980!

I've always believed that, in a democracy, "rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's" meant (at a minimum) voting, but given the way things are now, is it wrong to abstain from voting for either candidate?

[LilyM]

I think, being given the power and responsibility of voting, it is incumbent on us to use it as well as possible.

While such a thing as the perfect political candidate may never exist this side of heaven, we can at least play a part in ensuring the worse candidates do not get into office.

And when you think about it, isn't that exactly what the Holy Spirit has to do every time a new Pope is chosen? Surely none of the candidates are ever really worthy of their sacred office, after all. And He knows ALL their flaws in a way we cannot possibly do for any political candidate!

[Robert Sock]

On election day, I pray. I do not vote.

[tee_eff_em]

The Catechism says

1915 As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life. the manner of this participation may vary from one country or culture to another. "One must pay tribute to those nations whose systems permit the largest possible number of the citizens to take part in public life in a climate of genuine freedom."

....


2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.



[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners.... They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.... So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way."

tee

[Irishgal49]

Originally Posted by mitheneb

The presidential elections are coming again, and as usual I feel completely disenfranchised. I don't feel I can in good conscience support anyone, certainly not anyone with a chance of winning. As long as I can remember I have been on the horns of this dilemma, and my first presidential election was in 1980!

I've always believed that, in a democracy, "rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's" meant (at a minimum) voting, but given the way things are now, is it wrong to abstain from voting for either candidate?

If it's wrong then we're in this "wrong" boat together. I refuse to vote since I cannot back either candidate. I am 50 and this will be the very first time I abstain from voting. Given the **** we have to pick from, I will not vote at all.

Lorrie

[bauerice]

Originally Posted by Irishgal49

If it's wrong then we're in this "wrong" boat together. I refuse to vote since I cannot back either candidate. I am 50 and this will be the very first time I abstain from voting. Given the **** we have to pick from, I will not vote at all.
Lorrie

I am not voting as well. I am in my late 50's and this will be a first time for me as well.

[Bookcat]

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. . . . They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws. . . . So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way."

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2240.htm

And one can add that with so many important things in the USA election (abortion...religious liberty...) ...it is very important.

See the Catholic Answers Voter guide...

[onmyknees]

Originally Posted by Bookcat

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due.

[Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners. . . . They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws. . . . So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it.

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way."

http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/para/2240.htm

And one can add that with so many important things in the USA election (abortion...religious liberty...) ...it is very important.

See the Catholic Answers Voter guide...

Thanks for bringing up the Catholic Voters guide Bookcat! I just read it again since I couldn't remember all the five non-negotiables.

[JRKH]

Originally Posted by mitheneb

The presidential elections are coming again, and as usual I feel completely disenfranchised. I don't feel I can in good conscience support anyone, certainly not anyone with a chance of winning. As long as I can remember I have been on the horns of this dilemma, and my first presidential election was in 1980!

I've always believed that, in a democracy, "rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's" meant (at a minimum) voting, but given the way things are now, is it wrong to abstain from voting for either candidate?

In a word...No you do not have to go to the polls and cast a vote...So long as you recognize that not voting is, in itself, a kind of vote...That is, by not voting you are saying that you will be satisfied with whomever is elected.

Now - that said...I would like to address where you say above "either candidate"...indicating that you see only Two choices...This is almost never the case, and certainly not in the presidential election.
If you are dissatisfied with the main party candidates - consider looking into the, so called, third parties and their candidates and voting for one of them. While it is true that they will not be elected, the pollsters and major parties do keep an eye on such votes.
It is my feeling that a vote for a third party candidate can actually more influential than a vote for one of the primary parties - who frankly I can hardly tell apart any more.

Of course as Lily indicates above, often times it can be a matter of voting for the "lesser of evils" even if one chooses to vote third party.

Or you can just say home and "vote" - "Whatever you guys decide is fine with me."

Peace
James

[Tigg]

Originally Posted by JRKH

Now - that said...I would like to address where you say above "either candidate"...indicating that you see only Two choices...This is almost never the case, and certainly not in the presidential election.
If you are dissatisfied with the main party candidates - consider looking into the, so called, third parties and their candidates and voting for one of them. While it is true that they will not be elected, the pollsters and major parties do keep an eye on such votes.
It is my feeling that a vote for a third party candidate can actually more influential than a vote for one of the primary parties - who frankly I can hardly tell apart any more.

As independents, we voted third party in the last election due to our extreme dismay at the Republican choice and our absolute commitment to vote for the candidate who really is pro-life in principle. We do have an obligation to vote and regarding the argument that says to vote third party is a wasted vote, I will say that everyone needs to make a moral choice and I can only be responsible for my own decision using my intellect and right judgment; I cannot control how others will vote.

I understand the disheartened ones who have decided to abstain. It is a temptation to do so in light of the fact that there appears to be no real distinction anymore as the right moves further and further left. I personally believe that it is doubtful if there really is a free and open election in this country anymore, being convinced as I am that there is an element that has carefully chosen two candidates who will march to the beat of the same drum. I also take into consideration how corrupt government is and the many exposes that have been done regarding voter fraud. If anyone is interested in a truly pro-life, 3rd party conservative candidate who will not be elected, please PM me and I will give you a link.

[Reep]

Originally Posted by JRKH

By not voting you are saying that you will be satisfied with whomever is elected.

Or maybe I am saying exactly the opposite: that I am dissatisfied with whomever is elected.

I agree that voting third party can send a message and allows a person to vote--not for the lesser of two evils--but for the very best candidate available. Of course if enough people stayed home, that would send a very unnerving message to the leaders. This may be the year I follow the guy below on the left:

In my state, they always give you an "I Voted" sticker to wear around the rest of the day. I have always refused it, much to the annoyance of the blue-hair ladies. Reminds me of getting ashes on Ash Wednesday(which is fine), but I'm just not into civil sacramentals.

[LilyM]

Originally Posted by Reep

Or maybe I am saying exactly the opposite: that I am dissatisfied with whomever is elected.

I agree that voting third party can send a message and allows a person to vote--not for the lesser of two evils--but for the very best candidate available. Of course if enough people stayed home, that would send a very unnerving message to the leaders. This may be the year I follow the guy below on the left:

In my state, they always give you an "I Voted" sticker to wear around the rest of the day. I have always refused it, much to the annoyance of the blue-hair ladies. Reminds me of getting ashes on Ash Wednesday(which is fine), but I'm just not into civil sacramentals.

Our politicians show precious little care for those who cannot vote (think the unborn, children, refugees, and those dying or ill who are in danger of being euthanased against their will).

I have yet to see any evidence that they will exhibit any greater concern for those who can vote but choose not to, seeing as how it's not like the other guy is getting their votes.

[_Abyssinia]

Originally Posted by mitheneb

The presidential elections are coming again, and as usual I feel completely disenfranchised. I don't feel I can in good conscience support anyone, certainly not anyone with a chance of winning. As long as I can remember I have been on the horns of this dilemma, and my first presidential election was in 1980!

I've always believed that, in a democracy, "rendering to Caesar what is Caesar's" meant (at a minimum) voting, but given the way things are now, is it wrong to abstain from voting for either candidate?

Catholics have a duty to vote

Catechism:

2239 It is the duty of citizens to contribute along with the civil authorities to the good of society in a spirit of truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom. The love and service of one's country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity. Submission to legitimate authorities and service of the common good require citizens to fulfill their roles in the life of the political community.

2240 Submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one's country [Rom 13:7]:

Pay to all of them their dues, taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due. [Christians] reside in their own nations, but as resident aliens. They participate in all things as citizens and endure all things as foreigners.... They obey the established laws and their way of life surpasses the laws.... So noble is the position to which God has assigned them that they are not allowed to desert it. [Ad Diognetum 5: 5, 10]

The Apostle exhorts us to offer prayers and thanksgiving for kings and all who exercise authority, "that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, godly and respectful in every way." [1 Tim 2:2]

[JRKH]

I'd like to thank those who have posted the quotes from the Catechism.

When considering this matter though, it should be noted that "exercising the right to vote" may not, in itself, require that one actually enter the polls and cast a ballot. There can certainly be times when, after careful consideration and prayer, a person decides that they will simply live with whatever others decide.
An example of this might be where there are tax issues on a ballot. One examines both sides of the issue and sees little to choose between the two positions. So one simply says - I will not vote on this matter and will accept whatever the outcome is.
Such consideration and decision cannot really be considered "not voting". True the person has chosen to not vote "Yea or Nay" but they have chosen to vote "No opinion".

The key in any of this is the need to be actively interested. To try, so far as you are able, to understand the issues and to make a decision on how to vote (yea, nay or abstain) based on your research.
What we must NOT do is to simply ignore matters. To vote in ignorance or to simply not choose to participate at all.

The voting booth is important. But from the moral standpoint, the voting booth is only one part of the matter. And whether you actually enter a voting booth or not is no proof that you have fulfilled the moral requirement to "to exercise the right to vote".

Peace
James

[LilyM]

I don't know that one can necessarily exercise their right to vote by not voting. After all, you wouldn't ever say that I'm exercising my body by sitting or lying around and not actually doing anything with it!

And I certainly wouldn't call it exercise to get someone else to move my limbs for me. At best that might be physical therapy of some kind. However, to me (and most dictionary definitions) exercise requires some kind of effort, be it physical or mental. Which effort I would say is absent when one resigns the choice to others.

Interesting story - my area had local elections some weeks back. Voting is compulsory, so there was no option to not show up at the polls. A day or two beforehand, I realized that I hadn't received any campaign literature or seen or heard any media blurb from any of the candidates.

No problem, thought I. In state and federal elections, candidates will usually put plenty of information about themselves and their policies on the Internet. So I hopped on the Internet the night before the election. For whatever reason, this was simply not the case this time. In fact I could not even find out minimal information about them, such as whether they lived anywhere near me or several hours away in another part of our very large local government area. Just nothing.

Some had phone numbers or email addresses listed, but you can imagine how difficult it would be to get in touch by those means on the day of an election. So I did what we call a donkey (informal) vote - where you show up, thereby avoiding a fine for not voting, but do not mark your ballot paper at all. I really could not do anything else.