My Personal Guidelines for Voting

I am sure you can relate to this: My social media feeds, my email, and my snail mailbox are inundated with ads and commentary of why I must vote for Republicans or Democrats. You, like me, probably drive past hundreds of political signs every day promoting candidates or both parties with reasons why you should vote for them. One of my favorites is two that often appear side-by-side: “Re-elect (candidate) for State House” and “Vote Out (same candidate)!”

It’s election season and candidates, their parties, and their supporters want to convince us who we should vote for. They all cast their opponents in an unfavorable (sometimes dangerous) light. For the national elections, candidates will possibly either save the country or help destroy it, raise your taxes or lower them, secure the borders or create open ones, and on and on it goes with reasons to vote one way or the other. In state elections, more local issues are the focus—property taxes, voting amendments, education, etc., but the same approach applies. Candidates are going to either make the state better or ruin it because of how they view the issues. It’s enough to make your head spin and beg for it to just be over!

Many will just choose the easy way—vote a straight ticket or sit out this election. Both approaches avoid making hard and informed choices. It’s probably fair to say that both parties hope to encourage their likely supporters to vote a straight ticket and their likely opponents to stay home. I would understand that, particularly if, as in my state, the ballot is two pages long. And, as Americans, we have the right to vote or not to vote, and to vote for whomever we want. The choice is up to each of us.

For what it’s worth, I am planning to vote and below are the guidelines I am using to determine for whom and what I vote for. Hopefully, you will find them helpful. If not, that’s okay, too.

·      Because I believe neither party has a corner on truth and integrity, nor can either alone save or destroy the country, I will NOT be voting a straight ticket. There are strong candidates and weak candidates representing each party. I want to vote for the best candidates.

·      As I research candidates and proposals, I am looking for what I believe is in the best interest of the citizenry. Do the candidates truly care about the needs of the people they represent, not merely their supporters? Are they people of integrity and compassion, willing to treat people fairly? Are they telling the truth or are they being less than honest in order to get elected? Do they have the courage to stand up for what is right even if their colleagues or leaders of their party do not? Can they be persuaded to change their minds if conditions warrant doing so? Have they treated their opponents fairly in this election season or have they mercilessly demeaned them?

·      On issues, I am looking for the same type of honesty and integrity. Am I getting a truthful explanation for each or is it slanted in one way or another to gain the most votes? Is it something that is necessary to be enacted for the benefit of the citizenry? Which would be the most beneficial to the broadest constituency of citizens—voting for it or against it?

I realize this takes a fair amount of time, but I want to be an informed voter when I am filling out my ballot. I know that I won’t be able to confidently answer all my questions, but I will try my best and vote accordingly. Then I will wait for the results. Regardless of the outcome, I will not wring my hands in despair if my preferences lose or claim the election was rigged,  nor rejoice that the country and my state are saved from those intent on destroying it. As a follower of Jesus, I know I can trust in Him regardless of any election results. This is where my hope will always be found.

Until next time . . .

© Jim Musser 2026