By Chad Stafko
In a matter of weeks, the citizens of this country will cast their ballots to determine who wins a number of state and national political races. This year, of course, the presidency of the United States is up for grabs, pitting the incumbent Barack Obama, against the Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Voter turnout is expected to be high in many parts of the country. The media attention given towards these races continues to escalate as we near Election Day on November 6, as many of us have seen and heard a barrage of political commercials and will continue to do so. 
But what about the Christian? Does he or she have an obligation to vote in this and other elections and, if so, are there guidelines a Christian should use or issues that a Christian ought to consider critical in determining for whom the Christian will cast his vote?  
Yes, a Christian should vote and there are several issues that might underlie our decisions in who represents us in government. 
But, consider why we should vote? Aside from the implied duty to vote that we Christians have since we are citizens of the United States, Christians should vote because those who are elected to public office can make an enormous impact on the moral fabric of our society. This, of course, can be done in a positive or negative manner. The notable Irish philosopher Edmund Burke, considered to be the father of modern conservatism, stated, “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” 
Indeed then, if the Christian, or perhaps better said, if many Christians, pass on the opportunity to have their voices heard via the ballot box, then it is quite likely that those elected into office will not respect the Christian faith or the values and morality associated with Christianity. Therefore laws that are enacted will not only be absent of the influence of Christian principles, but they will also potentially be quite contrary to the values we hold dear as those who attempt to live our lives in accordance with God’s Holy Word. It would not take many elections for the influence of Christianity to fade from our government and, to some degree, our way of life. 
Recall the words of Jesus Christ in the great Sermon on the Mount as recorded in Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” 
Jesus was obviously speaking about influencing others in regard to our religion, which is our faith in Him and what He means to us individually. In our form of government, we have the ability to influence the government towards accepting and practicing Biblical principles through the action of voting for political candidates who reflect those views. When we vote for and support these types of candidates, we are shining our light upon our state and federal governments.  
What then should the Christian use as guidelines upon which he or she votes on November 6? Certainly, it is logical to suggest that we should not vote for individuals who stand for that which the Bible clearly opposes. If both candidates hold major views that run contrary to the Bible, then perhaps we choose one over the other as the “lesser of two evils,” if you will. However, this is rather rare. 
Take the issue of same-sex marriage, an issue that seemed somewhat dormant among the media and as a top issue among voters until the Chick-fil-A controversy of the summer and the affirmation of the Boy Scouts of America that the group will not allow homosexuals to be part of their organization. God has clearly spoken in His Word that He considers homosexuality to be an abomination (Romans 1:26, 27, 1 Corinthians 6:9). The concept of same-sex marriage only validates homosexuality as an acceptable lifestyle and homosexual couples as being equal under the law with heterosexual married couples. To be a Christian and to support those politicians or would-be politicians who are attempting to rewrite the concept of marriage is to put the “wise” members of our society who are pushing to make same-sex marriage legal as more intelligent than our God and Creator in Heaven who, of course, created the institution of marriage.  
If a political candidate is running on a platform of ideas, some of which are clearly opposed to God’s Word, even if he or she has economic or other ideas that we support, are we not running afoul of living for God if we vote for such a candidate?   
The same can be said of abortion. Since Roe v. Wade in 1973, over 54 million babies have been murdered in the United States. God values life, even when the child is in the mother’s womb. David wrote in Psalms 139:13, “For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb.” Consider how God views us if we support someone who supports the killing of innocent lives routinely for the sake of convenience and expediency, which occurs in nearly every case of abortion. By voting for these candidates, I am helping to enable these horrible atrocities against innocent lives that were created by God. There is simply no other way to view such a vote. 
Of course, these so-called “social issues” are not the only issues that tend to drive voters to cast their ballots for particular candidates. In this election, the economy and jobs are considered to be two of the top issues among the electorate, as millions of Americans are struggling to find work with millions more settling for jobs well below their expectations. It is certainly right for us as Christian voters to consider the economic records and proposals of political candidates. For example, if a candidate is an incumbent, we can review whether or not he or she has delivered on his or her economic promises and projections. Failed economic policies along with the pushing of social policies that are contrary to the teaching of God’s Word would obviously justify our vote against an incumbent.  
Over the last several years, both here in the United States as well as in several European countries, we have seen an increase in the role of government in the lives of citizens. In some cases, that has come with the citizens of these nations less willing to work or to work less so as to be provided for by the government.  
For those who are unable to work, it is worthwhile for a nation to provide for these individuals, who were perhaps born with physical or mental challenges or who developed these later in life. It seems reasonable as well, for a short period of time, to provide for those who have lost the opportunity to work. 
However, many now seem to be satisfied to have the government provide for their wants and needs at the expense of their fellow citizens. It has caused a clash between those two groups here in the U.S. and in some parts of Europe. God said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.” 
Note that God isn’t referring to those who are unable to work, but those who refuse to work. A politician who doesn’t call for all capable citizens to work when there are opportunities to do so and instead lets citizens enjoy their way of life at the expense of those who do work is ignoring what God says about working and eating. 
While there are a number of issues that tend to be the basis of voters’ decisions, there are clearly issues upon which the Christian should base his or her choice.  
We Christians need to flood our respective polling places and stand up for Biblical principles and the reflection of such in our politicians and the policies of government. Failure to do so will result in a nation that is far less reflective of Christian values. Let all of us cast our ballots and make our voices heard on Election Day.