Voting as an act of love: an Ignatian approach to participating in elections

On November 3, 2020, Americans are called upon to vote to decide who will be the next head of state and government of the country. In the last presidential elections (2016), about 139 million people voted, 55.5% of the population that could exercise the right to vote. This year, five days before Election Day, 69 million votes were registered, which is approximately half of the total participation in 2016. These are good data in terms of a predicted increase in participation, a consequence, among other factors, of a society that is increasingly aware and called upon to intervene in public life through voting. 

In spite of an optimistic prognosis —which is still a prognosis—, it is important that everyone who can vote does so. Every four years, Americans face, and enjoy, a moment of great social responsibility in which they can intervene in the future decisions made in the country. In this context, independent movements have emerged that invite the reflection that must precede the vote.

Voting is an act of love is one of those movements, in which the Ignatian Solidarity Network encourages Catholics to reflect on the causes that guide their choice. “Love ought to show itself in deeds more than in words,” said St. Ignatius of Loyola, reminding us that casting a ballot can be an act of love—a way to live out the greatest commandments, to love and serve God and to love our neighbor.

Why is it an act of love? Of love for whom?

The vow is a promise of wanting to make a better world. It is an act of love towards the neediest, towards the young, the old, the immigrants and refugees, towards the planet… In short, it is an act of love towards God and our neighbour. Before deciding, reflect. What do you love? How do you commit to that love? The vote is one of the tools we have to show it.

How far does responsibility go?

As individuals and in the present era of connectivity, we have the possibility and responsibility to give visibility to messages that contribute to the common good. (On the Voting is an act of love web page there are many materials that can be shared in social media). Sharing is a way to invite our contacts to reflect and perform an action, which is free, personal and non-transferable: to decide for their future. And in the mission that we share, that action is not moved by revenge, resentment or bitterness: voting is, as every one of our actions should be, an act of love.