“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
This quote, often attributed to Edmund Burke, shows what happens when Christians are apathetic in the political process: Evil triumphs. This especially rings true during the election season, when American citizens have the duty and privilege of deciding which policies and politicians prevail.
If the people in the pews do not vote in the polls, their absence gives unrighteousness the license to advance. The church, at large, has remained on the sidelines for far too long. As a result, across the country, abortion is legal and the leading cause of death, God’s design for marriage and family is ignored, first freedoms are threatened, and truth is exchanged for a lie.
Scripture is clear: “When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan” (Prov. 29:2).
Christians should take this seriously and vote for what promotes good and restrains evil. Voting is one way Christians can love their neighbor — by supporting policies and candidates that protect life, natural rights, God’s design for marriage and family, godly values, and law and order in society.
While Christians are more likely to vote than non-Christians, a staggering number of American Christians do not regularly engage in elections. In the 2024 election, just 56% of self-identified Christians voted, and 65% of mainline Protestant church attendees voted, according to a study led by George Barna from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center.
Over a third of individuals who worship in a Protestant church most Sundays did not vote in the last presidential election cycle. How should we expect righteous laws and leaders to advance if a large number of American believers do not fulfill this basic civic duty?
Each election matters on the local, state, and national level. This November, however, voters in 9 states may vote on up to 12 ballot initiatives related to life, marriage, and biological reality. Voters in all 50 states will have a say in pivotal races, but specifically, voters in nine states will face a clear choice between good and evil, truth and lies, common sense and insanity, through ballot initiatives that directly affect policy.
These 12 ballot initiatives for the midterm election include positive proposals that would protect girls’ sports and parental rights, as well as negative proposals that would constitutionalize “trans ideology” and same-sex “marriage,” and enshrine abortion as a “right.”
Voters often do not understand how far these initiatives reach: Not only do some of them allow abortion until birth, but some also may permit infanticide or create a “right” to mutilating, sex-rejecting (“transgender”) surgeries.
So much is at stake, and sitting out is not an option for this election cycle. Proverbs 14:34 reminds us that “Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Christian, fulfill your civic duty to vote, and cast a ballot for policies and candidates that most reflect biblical values. Pray for righteousness to prevail and evil to be defeated. Make a plan to vote, and encourage your church family to do the same. Visit LCAction.org/StateAmendments for more information and a state ballot initiative tracker.
In the words of Dr. Jerry Falwell Sr., “The idea that religion and politics don’t mix was invented by the Devil to keep Christians from running their own country.”
“Good men” must do something this election season — pray and vote.