Resources available to aid voters in making decisions on candidates, ballot issues

With Election Day – Nov. 8 – just around the corner, many people are finalizing their ballot decisions as they prepare to vote. Others may have cast a ballot already by mail.

Every election is important. This year, voters in the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland and beyond will make decisions on a variety of issues and candidates, including United States Senate and House Representatives, judges and statewide representatives. The airwaves, social media, yard signs and other platforms are bombarding voters with last-minute messages about the various candidates.

Voting is a privilege and a responsibility that should not be taken lightly. Voters should research candidates and issues before marking their ballots. The Diocese of Cleveland offers a page of Faithful Citizenship election resources, including a message from Bishop Edward Malesic for those seeking guidance as they prepare to vote. In addition, voters can check with the Catholic Conference of Ohio for election resources. The Conference does not endorse candidates but it does offer information to help voters make an informed decision.

When casting a ballot, the Conference urges voters to reflect on these things:

• The sacredness of human life – both unborn as well as the lives of the poor, those already born, the destitute, abandoned and underprivileged, the vulnerable infirm and elderly exposed to covert euthanasia, victims of human trafficking, now forms of slavery and every form of rejection.
• Applying a consistent moral framework – drawing attention to important issues including migration, xenophobia, racism, abortion, global conflict and care for creation. The threat of abortion remains a preeminent priority, but other serious threats to human life and dignity such as racism, the environmental crisis, poverty and the death penalty cannot be dismissed or ignored.
• Prudential discernment – noting that the Church’s teaching is clear that a good end does not justify an immoral means. The common good should be advanced and the sanctity of human life – from conception to natural death – defended, as well as promoting religious freedom, defending marriage, feeding the hungry, housing the homeless, welcoming the immigrant and protecting the environment – but not all possible courses of action are morally acceptable. Catholics have an obligation to carefully discern which public policies are morally sound.
• Serving as models of civil dialogue – especially in a context where discourse is eroding at all levels of society. Catholics should strive to understand before seeking to be understood, treat with respect those with whom they disagree, dismantle stereotypes and build productive conversation in places of vitriol.

The Conference also encourages voters to read and prayerfully reflect on the Faithful Citizenship document prepared in 2019 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Click here for a variety of informational election-related items prepared by the Catholic Conference of Ohio.

The Conference, which was established in 1945, is the second-oldest bishops’ conference in the country. It represents the Church's position before the Ohio General Assembly, various state departments, bureaus, agencies and other organizations. The Conference also provides facilitation, coordination and joint programming for diocesan groups involved in various Church ministries.