Are we doing enough to protect the election process?
PRAY FIRST for all candidates and election officials ahead of this year’s election as they work diligently to protect the election process.
“Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.“ – Romans 13:1
As the United States gears up for another election season, the nation still faces years of concerns about election security and integrity. These concerns are consistently debated by many, but it is clear that many in the American public have distrust in the electoral process.
Democracy Under Pressure
The American electorate’s concerns are multifaceted. A significant portion of anxiety revolves around the safety of election officials and the potential for political interference. Reports of threats and harassment against election workers have been alarmingly common, leading to increased security measures. The specter of cyberattacks looms large as well, with the integrity of election infrastructure being a critical point of vulnerability.
In response to these concerns, both state and federal governments have been proactive. New laws aim to give election officials more flexibility in ballot counting, expand protections for election workers, and outline restrictions to safeguard election systems from tampering and unauthorized access. States like Wyoming and Alabama have passed laws requiring electronic voting systems to be incapable of connecting to the internet, thereby reducing the risk of cyber intrusions.
Local governments are also working on the frontlines to ease the concerns of citizens. Post-election audits, both traditional and risk-limiting, are intended to serve as safeguards against errors or fraud and verify the accuracy of election results. These measures, along with partnerships with federal cybersecurity and election agencies, aim to improve the security of voting infrastructure and bolster voter confidence.
The Age of Information
Misinformation and disinformation campaigns have sown discord and doubt over the basic institution of voting. What once was seen as foreign actors seeking to disrupt America’s elections, there is rising concern that there is direct corruption from domestic special interest groups and even through lobbying. Added to that is the ongoing work that Congress is evaluating about the role that social media companies play in our everyday lives. These technology giants wield immense power and have the capability to promote or filter what information is placed in front of users.
We may often forget that social media companies are, in fact, businesses in pursuit of making money. But they also often have additional agendas that their owners or employees hope to push in the course of doing their business. Sometimes, this is overtly obvious, yet it can also be very subtle and take place over long periods of time. Congress has gone back and forth on whether social media companies have an ethical responsibility in how they moderate their content. The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in February regarding two cases of social media companies suing the states of Texas and Florida over laws regulating how social media companies moderate speech online.
Christians Bridging the Divide
In a current American culture rife with division and fear, we Christians are called to respond in ways that rebuild trust and foster unity. A Christian response to the election season emphasizes seeing every person as an image-bearer of God, deserving of respect regardless of political beliefs. This perspective encourages us to engage in the political process with empathy and a commitment to treating others with kindness.
As we prepare for the elections this fall, remember to pray for wisdom in selecting candidates and to research the platforms and records of those running for office. Also, remember to vote in alignment with the biblical values that God has laid out in His word as you participate actively in the democratic process.
Prayer remains a cornerstone of the Christian response. As we prepare to vote, pray for all candidates and election officials. Ask for guidance, integrity, and the fair administration of the electoral process. Pray and trust in God’s divine sovereignty over human affairs, including the outcomes of elections.
HOW THEN SHOULD WE PRAY:
— Pray for those serving as election officials as they work to ensure the integrity of the upcoming election. Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.’ – Deuteronomy 1:13
— Pray God to guide each American who prepares to vote ahead of this election and that we, as a people, would seek leaders who are dedicated to serving God in all that they do. “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.“ – Romans 13:1
CONSIDER THESE ITEMS FOR PRAYER:
- Pray for God to direct those in our state and local governments as they prepare to oversee the 2024 election season.
- Pray for the candidates running in this upcoming election that they will seek to glorify God.
- Pray for God’s will to be accomplished through the results of the election.
- Pray for God’s hand to be on the nation in and through our election process.
Sources: Brennan Center, The Council of State Government, CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, AP News, Reuters
