Declining to Vote?

[Abeard]

During our recent Provincial elections there was a movement where people were encourage to write "declined" on the back of their ballot if they were not satisfied with the candidates on their ballot.

Should a Christian be encouraged to do this if he does not agree totally with any party? Look forward to discussion!

 

[puritanpilgrim]

How would I do this on an electronic machine?

 

[Edward]

How would I do this on an electronic machine?

Some electronic machines have a 'write in' option then you can type in what you want. I think other counties you can ask for a paper ballot for write-ins. But the information seems to be difficult to find.

 

[hammondjones]

Would this be different from an abstention?

 

[jambo]

I believe that if you don't vote in any election then you cannot complain about the victorious candidate. Writing 'declined' on the ballot paper does not really do anything as this just spoils it. It would be far better if the movement urging people to write decline put forward their own candidate.

 

[Guido's Brother]

The process is a little different than described. You don't write anything on your ballot. So you're not spoiling it. The poll clerk gives you the ballot, and you hand it back and say, "I decline my ballot." It then goes in an envelope for declined ballots. It is officially counted and reported, unlike spoiled ballots. People have different reasons for doing it. I do it (did it) because I cannot in good conscience cast a ballot for any of the candidates in my riding. But I also tell the candidates why. Casting a ballot is not the only way to be politically engaged and I'm quite active in other ways before, during, and after elections.

Here's an article with some reasons why Christians might consider this as an option.

 

[Abeard]

The process is a little different than described. You don't write anything on your ballot. So you're not spoiling it. The poll clerk gives you the ballot, and you hand it back and say, "I decline my ballot." It then goes in an envelope for declined ballots. It is officially counted and reported, unlike spoiled ballots. People have different reasons for doing it. I do it (did it) because I cannot in good conscience cast a ballot for any of the candidates in my riding. But I also tell the candidates why. Casting a ballot is not the only way to be politically engaged and I'm quite active in other ways before, during, and after elections.


Here's an article with some reasons why Christians might consider this as an option.

Thanks for the clarification!

My only concern with declining your vote is that it seems to only give the more liberal parties the advantage. People who seem to be dissatisfied with their political party seem to be people who are politically conservative.

 

[InSlaveryToChrist]

I've personally always declined from voting (by means of abstinence), even when there are some supposedly Christian candidates. When I listen to these candidates, they do politics for all the same reasons as anyone else and do not lay the foundation on the Scriptures. It is not unusual to see a Christian candidate to abstain from answering doctrinal questions because in their mind they have nothing to do with politics. Of course they do. How shortsighted.

 

[Tim]

My only concern with declining your vote is that it seems to only give the more liberal parties the advantage.

I have a different take. I believe that when one abstains from voting for biblically-unqualified candidates (or an ungodly governmental system), this is an act of faith that, in essence, represents a petition that the Lord would provide options for godly government in the future. This should be accompanied by prayer. Why should the Lord ordain a change if we, by our voting, state that we support the present ungodly regime.

We would abstain if there are no men who are biblically unqualified for the office of church elder. Why, then, vote for a man who is biblically unqualified for the office of civil magistrate?

 

[Guido's Brother]

I have a different take. I believe that when one abstains from voting for biblically-unqualified candidates (or an ungodly governmental system), this is an act of faith that, in essence, represents a petition that the Lord would provide options for godly government in the future. This should be accompanied by prayer. Why should the Lord ordain a change if we, by our voting, state that we support the present ungodly regime.

Thanks, Tim. I have definitely been influenced by historic Covenanter sources on this question!

 

[Rom]

My only concern with declining your vote is that it seems to only give the more liberal parties the advantage.

I have a different take. I believe that when one abstains from voting for biblically-unqualified candidates (or an ungodly governmental system), this is an act of faith that, in essence, represents a petition that the Lord would provide options for godly government in the future. This should be accompanied by prayer. Why should the Lord ordain a change if we, by our voting, state that we support the present ungodly regime.

We would abstain if there are no men who are biblically unqualified for the office of church elder. Why, then, vote for a man who is biblically unqualified for the office of civil magistrate?

Amen to this. Every man has a threshold where his conscience will not allow him to vote for either choice. To take this illustration to its extreme, imagine a ballot with Pol Pot as candidate for Party A and Joseph Stalin as candidate for Party B. I would hope that one's conscience would not allow you to vote for either candidate, and you would not consider the ballot "spoiled" because you refused to vote for either candidate. Instead, you would say that you upheld your duty in not personally appointing either man.

The question is - where is that line? Various Christians have come to differing opinions on this (I hold to the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ, and certainly would not vote for an unbeliever), but it should be acknowledged by all, that one's conscience is not bound to make a decision in an election. It should only be bound to the Word of God.

 

[Jack K]

Should a Christian be encouraged to do this if he does not agree totally with any party?

I have very seldom agreed totally with any other person, much less any political candidate. If total agreement were required before voting for a person or even making a friend, I could never vote and would probably have no friends.

But total agreement is not a necessary requirement. I vote for the best person available while acknowledging that all have flaws, some serious and some less so.

 

[Rom]

Should a Christian be encouraged to do this if he does not agree totally with any party?

I have very seldom agreed totally with any other person, much less any political candidate. If total agreement were required before voting for a person or even making a friend, I could never vote and would probably have no friends.

But total agreement is not a necessary requirement. I vote for the best person available while acknowledging that all have flaws, some serious and some less so.

You probably wouldn't even be a member of a church

 

[Toasty]

During our recent Provincial elections there was a movement where people were encourage to write "declined" on the back of their ballot if they were not satisfied with the candidates on their ballot.

Should a Christian be encouraged to do this if he does not agree totally with any party? Look forward to discussion!

You don't have to write "declined" on the ballot. You can abstain from voting if you don't like any of the candidates.

 

[Guido's Brother]

You don't have to write "declined" on the ballot. You can abstain from voting if you don't like any of the candidates.

In some provinces in Canada there is a provision, however, for declined ballots. Abstentions don't get recorded -- declined ballots do. Lots of people abstain out of pure laziness or indifference. When you decline a ballot, you indicate that you conscientiously made an effort to be involved in the democratic process.

 

[Abeard]

The question is - where is that line? Various Christians have come to differing opinions on this (I hold to the Mediatorial Kingship of Christ, and certainly would not vote for an unbeliever), but it should be acknowledged by all, that one's conscience is not bound to make a decision in an election. It should only be bound to the Word of God.

This is what I have been thinking. When does it become legitimate not to vote? I have never thought about this until recently. I thought voting was just picking the lesser of evils.

 

[InSlaveryToChrist]

My only concern with declining your vote is that it seems to only give the more liberal parties the advantage.

I have a different take. I believe that when one abstains from voting for biblically-unqualified candidates (or an ungodly governmental system), this is an act of faith that, in essence, represents a petition that the Lord would provide options for godly government in the future. This should be accompanied by prayer. Why should the Lord ordain a change if we, by our voting, state that we support the present ungodly regime.

We would abstain if there are no men who are biblically unqualified for the office of church elder. Why, then, vote for a man who is biblically unqualified for the office of civil magistrate?

This.

 

[VictorBravo]

In some provinces in Canada there is a provision, however, for declined ballots. Abstentions don't get recorded -- declined ballots do. Lots of people abstain out of pure laziness or indifference. When you decline a ballot, you indicate that you conscientiously made an effort to be involved in the democratic process.

There was a "none of the above" movement in some states, hoping to put that as an option on ballots. Unresolved was what to do if "none of the above" won. I'd think a decent solution might be then to leave the position vacant until the next regular election.

It would send a message and have the added benefit of slowing down legislative (or executive) initiative.

But alas, I'm also one who thinks that grid-lock is the safest condition of government anyway.

 

[Username3000]

I believe that if you don't vote in any election then you cannot complain about the victorious candidate. Writing 'declined' on the ballot paper does not really do anything as this just spoils it. It would be far better if the movement urging people to write decline put forward their own candidate.

I don't think that is fair. If I don't cast a vote for any candidate because, for example, they all support the murder of babies, how does that render me unable to voice my opinion about the winner? With that logic, I would have to vote pro-abortion (meaning any candidate), to be allowed to speak up against abortion. I am curious to know why you believe one must vote in order to complain? I believe that that is an unsubstantiated claim designed to perpetuate buy-in to the current system. Thankfully, God is sovereign over all things.

 

[au5t1n]

We read this in our family worship a couple days ago, and I find it very pertinent to the question of voting for wicked men in hopes of achieving a desirable end. It is pertinent to many other things as well. Let us take it to heart.

Henry Scudder, The Christian's Daily Walk, Chapter 12: "Of lawful Care, and of Freedom from anxious Care:"

3. This holy provident care maketh choice only of lawful means, to obtain this lawful end. David had care of his own life; therefore he got intelligence from Jonathan of Saul's evil purposes towards him. He did fly and hide himself from Saul, but would by no means lay violent hands upon his anointed Lord and king; though he had fair opportunities, and strong solicitations to kill him, he falling twice into his power, and was earnestly called upon by his servants to despatch him.

Observe likewise Jacob's care to save himself, and all that he had, from the fury of his brother Esau, he used only fit and lawful means. For though a man's intention be ever so good, and the thing cared for be good, yet if the means to get it be unlawful, the care is evil. To care how to provide for yourself and yours, is in itself good and needful; but so to care, that you run to unjust and indirect means, maketh it evil. To care how to be saved, is an excellent care, but when you seek to attain it by ways of your own, or of other men's inventions; as by idolatrous worship, and voluntary religion, or looking to be saved by your own works, by purgatory, pope's pardons and indulgences, as the Papists do; this is a most sinful carefulness. To care how to bring glory to God is the best care; but if, to procure it, you use lying for God, or any other unlawful means, it is an unholy care.​

 

[jambo]

I believe that if you don't vote in any election then you cannot complain about the victorious candidate. Writing 'declined' on the ballot paper does not really do anything as this just spoils it. It would be far better if the movement urging people to write decline put forward their own candidate.

I don't think that is fair. If I don't cast a vote for any candidate because, for example, they all support the murder of babies, how does that render me unable to voice my opinion about the winner? With that logic, I would have to vote pro-abortion (meaning any candidate), to be allowed to speak up against abortion. I am curious to know why you believe one must vote in order to complain? I believe that that is an unsubstantiated claim designed to perpetuate buy-in to the current system. Thankfully, God is sovereign over all things.

The phrase, "better to light a candle than curse the darkness" springs to mind. If there is an injustice you feel strongly about then democracy gives you the chance to do something about it and to right wrongs. If you object to what the candidates stand for then either stand yourself or if you are unable to do so, then find a group of like minded people and put forward a candidate from that group.

Voting gives you the chance to change things. If you don't vote then you cannot complain about the result as you did nothing to try and change the outcome.

 

[Tim]

If you don't vote then you cannot complain about the result as you did nothing to try and change the outcome.

Stuart, I think this sort of statement is being challenged in this thread. I would support this statement of yours:

If you object to what the candidates stand for then either stand yourself or if you are unable to do so, then find a group of like minded people and put forward a candidate from that group.

...and I would hope that you would acknowledge that not everybody is able to be so active in politics as what you describe here.

Even the notion of complaining can be turned into a productive exhortation to others regarding a biblical approach to the civil magistrate. For some Christians, this is a perfectly acceptable action if that represents their present ability.

Returning to my church office analogy, if a church conducted elections for an elder in a completely incorrect manner, it would be proper to decline participation and state reasons why the procedure was wrong (or the choices provided were unacceptable).

 

[jambo]

Tim, I appreciate that not everyone is able, equipped or suited to stand for political office but at least in a democracy everyone has the right to do so. Normally speaking where there are big issues then there are people standing with opposing views. The point I was making was that you have been given the right to vote in order to change things and you should use that vote according to your own conscience.

In terms of election of elders it is of course proper to decline to vote if things are not done properly. Indeed the elders should be challenged as to why they are allowing something that is clearly wrong. If the candidates were unsuitable then surely the existing elders should have spotted that and secondly the congregation have the chance not to elect them. Should the church vote in favour of unsuitable people for eldership then that is up to our conscience as to how you deal with that.

 

[Tim]

The point I was making was that you have been given the right to vote in order to change things and you should use that vote according to your own conscience.

I understand your point, but I hope you would be comfortable with those who, according to their conscience, decline to vote for a political officer. Your statements above suggest that you think abstinence accomplishes nothing, and I was trying to probe your thought process regarding that position. I contend that our greatest responsibility here is to support only those biblically-qualified candidates who intend to work within a godly regime of government.

Possession of the right to vote doesn't require us to use that right if the vote itself represents support for an unacceptable candidate. Abstinence, when morally required, accomplishes much because it is seen by a sovereign God, who blesses according to His own prerogative.

 

[bookslover]

I agree with Alex Beard. Declining to vote only makes it that much easier for Leftists to win. Sometimes, you just have to hold your nose (since no candidate is perfect) and vote...

 

[VictorBravo]

Something I often throw into these discussions:

If we grant that voting is essentially a pragmatic exercise, and I evaluate that electing a flaming liberal for president and rabidly reactionary conservatives for Congress, anticipating that this would be for the eventual greater good of the Republic, on what basis could anyone fault my vote?

Or, on the contrary, if I decline to vote for president but actively work on state-wide issues, am I really precluded from commenting on the national policy?

I doubt it. Even in countries with a strong King and no votes at all, the right of the people to complain through petitions or speech has been recognized for a long time. Not that every dictator would put up with it, but certainly the Kings of Israel were expected to listen to people's grievances, and that was seen in England under a strong monarchy, too.

 

[EKSB SDG]

This article: (THE SOLA SYSTEM: Christ-Centered Voting (Part 1) - The Voter) does an excellent job of covering the issue of Christ-centered voting. There are four parts: the voter, the candidate, the platform, and concluding thoughts. At the end of each article is a link that will take you to the next section. While the article is directed to Christians in the United States, the biblical ideas and precepts are applicable worldwide.

 

[ZackF]

I've often abstained from voting feeling no guilt nor pressure for not "having my say." I've done so intentionally and not because I was to lazy to drive to the polls. It's a valid and moral option and given the choices we see sometimes. If it be your choice, with the requisite intentionality I add, you get no beef from me.