It’s Election Day again. People around the country are heading to the polls to cast their votes. Millions voted early or mailed in ballots. Some may be voting for the first time, others after decades of casting their ballots each election cycle. Whatever the case, the collective power of our voting process is a remarkable achievement for democracy every election year.
This year, the stakes are high. Control of Congress hangs in the balance, our electoral process is under attack, and threats of political violence are on the rise. The integrity of our elections and the participation of ordinary Americans in choosing their leaders is vital for our future together as a nation.
Voting is not only a fundamental right and responsibility of our civic life, it is an important nonviolent process for managing our differences and determining how we will live together as a country.
FCNL calls on all candidates, election officials, decision-makers, voters, people of faith, and each one of us to help ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election process. We are in this together.
Voting is not only a fundamental right and responsibility of our civic life, it is an important nonviolent process for managing our differences and determining how we will live together as a country. Protecting the right to vote and respecting our electoral process is part of how we love our neighbors, no exceptions.
Whatever the final results – some of which could take days to determine – we encourage patience, compassion, listening, respect, and recognition that we must chart our path as a nation together.
For nearly 80 years, FCNL has worked with members of Congress from all parties, during times of divided government and during one-party rule, in the midst of political upheaval and at moments of great uncertainty, to build a more just and peaceful world. Whatever the results of these elections, this will not change.
We know our work to strengthen democracy, reduce violence, heal divisions, uproot racism, and build the world we seek, will continue in the 118th Congress as it has each Congress since our founding. We know it will depend on the thousands of people across the country who join in this work with us, with their members of Congress, and with their communities.
Today, we are grateful for each person casting their vote. Our democracy depends on it.
