Vote on Tuesday, November 3rd
September 15th, 2026
Dear Fellow Americans and Friends in Christ,
The values of the Reign of God evident in the teaching, deeds and parables of Jesus
Christ are consistent and clear in their demand that we feed the hungry, care for the
poor, heal the sick, welcome the stranger, and house the homeless. All who would claim
to follow Jesus are called to enact these values within the social structures that exist.
In the parable of the wheat and the weeds from the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 13:24
30), Jesus gives us a reality check that the Reign of God exists alongside the Reign of
Empire. Government policies enacted by its leaders have the power either to facilitate
social and economic justice or perpetuate inequities. It has the ability to protect the right
to pursue life, liberty and happiness, or to oppress and marginalize. Political leaders
have the ability to enforce and maintain access to affordable health care, clean air and
water, a safe supply of food and drinking water, and housing. On the other hand,
government policies or inaction can also support exploitation, inequality, the
unregulated accumulation of wealth and power, and create a pervasive culture of fear and scarcity.
Political leaders can promote systems that benefit all of a nation’s inhabitants or systems that create winners and losers; haves and have-nots.
Citizens of the United States who are registered to vote will have the opportunity to
select new local, state and national leaders on Tuesday, November 3rd. Simply by
exercising our right to vote in civic elections, followers of the Way of Jesus can choose
candidates who advocate for the values that align with those of the Reign of God and to
transform current government policies that may oppose them.
A first step in considering how to cast our ballot is to ask the Holy Spirit to guide our choices in the upcoming elections. We all can engage in an examination of conscience related to the current policies of local, state and national governments, and how well they align with the values of the gospels.
With a clear and enlightened vision of the policies that will further the cause of equity, justice, healing, and peace, the next step is to become informed on the offices up for election and the positions of all of the candidates running. Becoming informed takes some effort to look beyond the political propaganda that pervades the popular media, and instead listen to the candidates’ own words in context. We must carefully read their position statements and examine their voting records as well as their past service (if any) to the community. It is only by doing this that followers of Christ can discern which candidates support those policies that advance God’s Reign of justice, mercy, charity and peace.
It is very rare that any one candidate or political party will align with all of our shared gospel values, particularly in this moment. However, there are clear and obvious differences and priorities among candidates and parties and with their commitment to honesty, transparency, integrity and equity.
We urge our church members and all people of good will to cast their informed votes on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2026 in support of those candidates/parties whose policies and actions most closely align with the values taught by Jesus of Nazareth.
Sincerely Yours in Christ,
The Bishops and Board of Directors of the Reformed Catholic Church
reformedcatholic.org