The 2024 General Election is just a few short weeks away. Do you know where the candidates on your ballot stand on important issues? This election is more than just looking for the candidate that has the right letter behind their name. We need to make sure that we are doing our due diligence to research each candidate and find out how they have voted or where they stand on important issues facing this nation. Below are a few key issues areas that have been hot topics in the last year and would be good to keep in mind when determining which candidates to vote for. This is not an exhaustive list, but this is a good place to start your candidate research.
- Abortion
After the overturning of Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022, abortion rights activists and pro-life activists have mobilized in states across the country to try to encourage new laws to either protect life in the womb or create a right to abortion. It’s important that we find out where candidates stand when it comes to defending the lives of the unborn.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate believe that life starts at conception?
- Does this candidate advocate for a complete abortion ban?
- Does this candidate believe there are instances where abortion is ok?
There are also several states across the country that will have constitutional amendments on their ballot concerning abortion. Make sure you read the language carefully. Part of the strategy of many pro-abortion groups is to make the language on these ballot measures vague and confusing so that people are unsure of how to vote. Remember, state constitutions are much harder to change and correct than state statutes. Do not be deceived by eloquent wording. Make sure you understand exactly what each ballot measure will do if passed.
Important things to look for:
- Does this ballot measure protect unborn babies at all stages of development or just some?
- Does this ballot measure provide loopholes for medical professionals to work around abortion bans?
- Does this ballot measure create a complete abortion ban or does it allow for exceptions?
- Economy
Every election cycle the economy tends to be toward the top of the list of important issues. This year is no different. With the prices of food and gas rising, we need candidates who will work to help lower the economic strain on taxpayers. Each state, as well as the nation as a whole, must look for ways to help promote and encourage economic growth in a manner that not only helps businesses and business owners but also helps reduce the burden on the taxpayer.
Important things to look for:
- Is this candidate opposing the creation of new or higher taxes?
- Does this candidate have any ideas for finding a way to reduce the tax burden?
- Does this candidate have any ideas on how to encourage business development to spur job creation and growth?
- Education
After enduring the COVID shutdowns, it became clear to many of us that we must be more involved with the education system. Many parents discovered that harmful curricula like Critical Race Theory were being taught to their children. When parents began to bring these concerns to their elected education officials they were shut out of the discussion and removed from meetings. There has also been a movement to try and allow biological boys to participate in girls’ sports and have access to girls’ private spaces. We must make sure that the candidates we vote for are opposing egregious indoctrination tactics and ensuring that our students are protected during the school day.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate oppose biological boys utilizing girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms and participating in girls’ sports?
- Does this candidate advocate for the removal of sexually explicit content from school libraries and curricula?
- Does this candidate support parental involvement and input in their children’s education?
- Immigration
Immigration is another issue that tends to be at the top of the list of important topics each election cycle. This year, this issue has become a hot topic because of the drastic increase in illegal immigration. Many across the country are experiencing the detrimental consequences of the lack of border security and effective immigration policy. We need elected officials who will enforce law and order and prioritize the protection of United States citizens.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate support closing the southern border?
- Does this candidate oppose a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
- Does this candidate support the deportation of illegal immigrants already in the country?
- Israel
It has always been important that the United States stand by its alliance with the nation of Israel. This issue is even more important this election cycle with the ongoing attacks on Israel from various terrorist organizations and terrorist-sympathetic countries. Unfortunately, after these attacks, we have seen many politicians waver in their willingness to stand by Israel. For candidates running for national elected offices, it is important that we know if they intend to defend one our nation’s closest allies.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate support sending aid to Israel?
- Does this candidate oppose sending aid to countries who are aiding the fight against Israel?
- Does this candidate oppose a two-state solution as a pathway to peace?
- LGBTQ+
There is a very vocal, but small, group of activists that have been mobilizing across the nation to promote legislation that encourages the teaching of gender confusion among the next generation and is pushing for expanded access to gender mutilation surgery for children. We must be diligent in our research to vote for candidates who are going to protect and help preserve our future generations, not confuse and mutilate them.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate oppose gender mutilation surgeries for minors?
- Does this candidate oppose teaching gender confusion in health and biology classes?
- Does this candidate oppose biological boys utilizing girls’ locker rooms and bathrooms and participating in girls’ sports?
- Religious Freedom
The devil would love nothing more than to silence the voice of the church, and over the years has used wicked legislation to attempt to chip away at the religious freedoms that our nation’s founders were so passionate about. Now more than ever, the voice of the body of Christ is needed to be the moral compass in our cities, states, and nation. We must be on the lookout for candidates who try to strip away our rights as citizens to practice and express our religious beliefs freely.
Important things to look for:
- Does this candidate value the 1st Amendment?
- Does this candidate support religious exemptions so that business owners, employees, and military personnel aren’t forced to violate their faith?
- Does this candidate oppose placing additional restrictions on church speech and involvement in society?
The topics listed above are simply starting points to kick off your research to determine which candidates to vote for. The important thing to remember during this election season is to take the time to do your research. Your vote can help elect representatives who will boldly stand for righteousness and defend truth.
After you have done diligent research, don’t forget to pray. It is imperative that we intercede over the election and exercise our right to vote because things change when we pray and get involved.