This election season is an exciting and special time for me. For the first time in 14 years I will be able to cast my vote in person! As the wife of an active-duty military husband, my family and I spent at least 20 years away from our home state. We spent the majority of my husband’s military career living in Japan and England. Voting was done through mail-in ballots.

Last November, my husband retired from the US Air Force and we made Arizona our new home. We made it official by becoming registered voters. After a long period of time, this year will be our very first election that we are able to vote in-person! This is exciting but there is also a level of seriousness that comes with voting. There are many issues on the ballot that directly affects the livelihood of our children. There is a heightened sense of urgency within me to cast my vote and to make sure it counts.

It is not my intent to convince you to vote one way or the other. However, I do want to encourage you to not only vote but to make an informed vote. As a Bible believing Christian, I know there are biblical truths that lead citizens in our country, state, and city to the peace and prosperity of all generations (not just Christian generations but for EVERYONE). When I see some of the issues that are on the ballot I know it is not only my American civic duty, my Arizonan civic duty, but it is also my Christian civic duty to vote. I want to make certain my vote is an informed vote.

When I read and review the issues I sense the Holy Spirit prompting me to dive deeper by finding out what God says about the issue. I examine what the Bible says about the issues that matter most to me, and directly effects the well-being of my children. I know this takes time and not all of us have the luxury of time to research. Nevertheless, the time spent is worth it if it means that I did everything in my power to ensure my children and their peers have a future where they can flourish and experience the peace and prosperity of God.

I sometimes wonder whether other Christians take the time to be informed and cast biblically informed votes. How many of us desire to make a biblically informed vote but are unable to find the time to do the research? How many Christians just do not have the confidence to determine how to be informed? With all the misinformation and clouded truths that we are bombarded by, and our busy lifestyles I completely understand this can be overwhelming.

So where do we start? I would suggest with prayer and a plan. We leave the results up to our Lord. (Proverbs 16:1)

Here is a sample plan and some resources that can probably relieve some of the burden of this election season.

1. Pray for God’s will to be done. Pray for God to guide you in the best action you can take.
2. Check if you are registered to vote.
3. Review a voter’s guide to be informed on the issues, candidates, and the propositions. Here are a few resources you can review.

Center for Arizona Policy

Goldwater Institute
4. Plan to vote early or on Election Day, November 8th.

Check your work schedule.

Make childcare arrangements.

Tap your circle of support for assistance.

Arrange for a ride to the voting booths.
5. Invite others to join you. Make a fun plan to meet up with friends. Take a selfie with your “I voted” sticker on and then plan to hang out for breakfast, coffee, lunch, or dinner.
6. Tell the world you voted. Post on social media, text, call, etc. Just share the news and encourage others to vote. Maybe this will help spark some ideas for you. 4Tucson staff is making a plan to vote: an informed vote, and a biblically informed vote. It is my prayer this will inspire you to make a plan to vote and to implement your plan. God bless.