Make a difference: Get out and vote

Foundational to our democracy is our right to vote for candidates who most closely reflect our values. As Catholics, we are called to ensure that our voice and our Catholic values are represented at the “ballot box.”

Historically in Louisiana’s gubernatorial elections, voter turnout has been disappointing. Only 51% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2019 governor’s race, and that actually was an increase over 2015 (40.2%) and 2011 (32.8%), respectively. About two-thirds of the voting-eligible population voted in the 2020 presidential election.

If our democracy is truly going to reflect the values of the people, citizens must take seriously their responsibility to vote.

It is disheartening and almost overwhelming to witness the polarization and lack of civility that mark our political discourse these days. I’m often asked by well-meaning people if they should even bother voting because the choices before them so often are less than clear and because fulfilling their civic duty requires sifting through personal attacks and separating truth from fiction, if not outright falsehood.

All of this can make forming one’s conscience particularly challenging.

My response: We must vote. It is our responsibility to vote with a well-formed conscience and call on our fellow citizens to dialogue respectfully, recognizing the dignity of one another despite what might be divergent opinions. Pray as we prepare to vote!

As Catholics, we are called to be actively engaged in building up our communities. We must emphasize the need to respect all human life regardless of race, religion, cultural or social differences.

In society today, we are witnessing national and local political campaigns that have become very negative and, in many cases, disrespectful to others as Catholic Christians. We must make sure our voices are heard and call for greater civility in politics. Likewise, we must speak with our children and help them realize such “name-calling” in local, state and national elections is contrary to Christian principles.

The USCCB’s “Civilize It” campaign( www.usccb.org/civilizeit) makes this point very clearly, “When personal attacks replace honest debate, no one wins. This kind of attack, no matter the reason, only serves to further divide our communities.”

The “Civilize It” campaign has also provided several “Tips for Engaging in Civil Dialogue”:

1. Listen first and seek to understand the whole picture.

2. Ask questions for clarification.

3. Use “I” statements; pay attention to body language.

4. Listen to what feelings are present and pay attention to how you respond.

5. Summarize what you’ve heard and ask for feedback.

To those who have become so disillusioned by the seemingly hateful political discourse that they see abstaining from voting as their only option, I would urge them, after prayerful reflection, to vote for the candidate who most reflects Christian principles or who has the potential to do so if elected.

Let me repeat my call for us together to pray for our country and for civility in our world. May we form our consciences and be faith-filled citizens who stand for the respect for life and dignity of all.

Learn more about Faithful Citizenship, developing a well-formed conscience, civil dialogue, and issues of importance to Catholics when voting at http://nolacatholic.org/vote. I ask all Catholics to examine the candidates’ platforms and to pray before voting. Who would Jesus vote for?

Questions for Archbishop Aymond may be sent to [email protected].