Voter Resources
Your Faith. Your Vote.
Helpful links and resources leading up to the 2019 General Election.
Catholics have an obligation to participate in the democratic process by voting with an informed conscience. While the Catholic Church does not endorse candidates for elected office, it does seek to share Catholic teaching on relevant issues and to encourage Catholics to vote. Below are some helpful links to ensure your vote is counted!
In Person Registration at Your County Election Offices
Access Official Voter Guides: An important companion as you fill out your ballot and learn more about the candidates and initiatives up for consideration.
Consider Questions for Candidates (see below): Be prepared to ask questions of candidates that come to your door. Their answers will give insights to their commitments and credentials.
Read Statements by the Bishops of Washington State: Our bishops believe that Catholics can help transform public policy for the greater benefit of the common good.
Join the WSCC’s Advocacy Network TODAY: Keep up to date on important issues facing the Washington State Legislature and US Congress. Make your voice heard!
Questions for Candidates
The WSCC is providing the following set of questions for you to use as you prayerfully consider your vote.
Respect Life
Catholic Church Position: Life is God’s gift to us and a right that cannot be taken from any human. The Church encourages policies that respect and protect all human life, including efforts to repeal the death penalty as well as those to reduce or eliminate abortions.
Questions for Candidates: Do you support the effort to repeal the death penalty in Washington state? Do you support efforts to reduce or eliminate abortions?
Poverty
Catholic Church Position: Food assistance efforts, like the federal SNAP program, and housing programs, like the State Housing Trust Fund, are critical to ensuring everyone can live a life of dignity.
Questions for Candidates: Will you support legislation that assures access to food, medicine, and housing for the most vulnerable? Do you support funding the Housing Trust Fund to assist the homeless in finding housing?
Religious Freedom
Catholic Church Position: The freedom of religion is enshrined in Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Constitution. A person’s faith is closely bound to his or her conscience and warrants respect and protection.
Question for Candidates: Will you support policies to ensure that individuals and employers, including religious organizations, will be free to live according to deeply held religious beliefs and/or moral consciences?
Immigration
Catholic Church Position: The U.S. Catholic bishops have declared that America’s immigration system is broken and in need of comprehensive reform. Among other measures, the Church supports congressional legislation that would help ensure the dignity and protection of all children who have entered the country.
Question for Candidates: Do you support comprehensive immigration reform that includes expedited family reunification and a path to earned citizenship for undocumented immigrants?
Education / School Safety
Catholic Church Position: Ensuring the safety of school children is critical. Public policies should be adopted that bring appropriate safeguards to schools, including coordinated emergency notifications for all public and private schools.
Question for Candidates: Do you support policies that require emergency coordination and communication between first responders and all schools (including Catholic and other private schools)?
Prayer Before an Election
Lord God, as the election approaches,
we seek to better understand the issues and concerns that confront our city/state/country,
and how the Gospel compels us to respond as faithful citizens in our community.
We ask for eyes that are free from blindness
so that we might see each other as brothers and sisters,
one and equal in dignity,
especially those who are victims of abuse and violence, deceit and poverty.
We ask for ears that will hear the cries of children unborn and those abandoned,
Men and women oppressed because of race or creed, religion or gender.
We ask for minds and hearts that are open to hearing the voice of leaders who will bring us closer to your Kingdom.
We pray for discernment
so that we may choose leaders who hear your Word,
live your love,
and keep in the ways of your truth
as they follow in the steps of Jesus and his Apostles
and guide us to your Kingdom of justice and peace.
We ask this in the name of your Son Jesus Christ and through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.