In Mark, we're told to render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's. That verse is in the context of paying taxes, but it is part of a collection of verses that all point toward Christians having an obligation to their government. In Romans 13, for example, we're told to be subject to the governing authorities, and in I Timothy 2 we're instructed to pray for those in authority over us.
Despite how clearly that obligation is presented to us, it is all too easy to reassure ourselves that we are good citizens because we pay our taxes and don't break any laws too flagrantly - we were at least close to the speed limit, right? Seldom do we consider what we owe to our modern Caesars - what our current governing authorities are asking of us, their subjects.
One thing our leaders are clearly asking for is our vote. States around the country ask their citizens to turn out this year, and secretaries of state print posters and prepare stickers to encourage voters to come to the polls. Governors and the legislators give speeches exhorting their listeners to turn out for the most important election since the last one. Every recent president has given public remarks on the importance of elections and urged Americans to come to the polls.
Yet, though we are fine upstanding people who would never dream of skipping out on their taxes, we talk earnestly about whether or not we should vote this year. The same politicians who urge us to vote speak of “defeating” or “crushing” or “stopping” the other side – and politics as combat does not seem to align with our love of neighbor in the way quietly paying our taxes does. We maunder, dissatisfied, between presidential candidates and consider not showing up at all – or stare in confusion at the names we’ve never seen before at the bottom of our sample ballot and consider leaving the work of voting to those who are better informed.
In Jeremiah 29, the exiles are told to seek the peace and prosperity of the city of Babylon. Today, we’re to seek the good of our neighbors and show love to our communities and those around us. Yet how many of us consider voting as a way of doing so? A major study of the topic, published in PS by Kostelka and Blais, considered exactly this question. The assumption had long been that democracies with high numbers of satisfied citizens had high voter turnout because the happy people voted more. But Kostelka and Blais showed the relationship went the opposite way – when more people voted in a given democratic nation, over time, that nation’s people became more satisfied with their democratic government.
In other words, your vote makes the country better for everyone else living here. This is true whether or not “your side” is triumphant when the ballots are tallied. Your vote, win or lose, mainstream or third party matters a great deal to those who watch election results. It encourages politicians to moderate their language and campaign style to appeal to a broader, less extreme base. It inspires more attention from politicians to areas that might be ignored if turnout is low. Even votes for losing options, third parties, or protest write-ins can signal to parties and potential candidates that there are discontented voters who might prefer more appealing options next go-round.
So on election day, show up to cast your vote not to beat those standing in line with you, but for their good. Cast your vote, with wisdom and care, as a duty owed to your authorities and your neighbors, not as part of a battle. And when the totals are counted, pray for God’s blessing on whoever ended up on top.
