This is not a time for retreat…it is a time for renewed engagement.
In the 2020 Election, Michigan voters will cast their ballot for President of the United States, one of Michigan’s two U.S. Senate seats, two seats on the Michigan Supreme Court, two seats on the Michigan State Board of Education, all 14 seats in the Michigan congressional delegation, and the 110-member Michigan House of Representatives, in addition to local races and issues. As these decisions have significant impacts on the state and its communities, Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) offers the following resources to help Catholics prepare for their voting choices.
Steps to Prepare for the 2020 Election
- Check your voter registration status or register to vote
- Study and reflect on Catholic social teaching
- Review your ballot and voting choices
- Take the time to pray and ask for God’s direction
- Vote absentee or in-person on Tuesday, November 3
Voter Registration Resources
In order to register to vote, you must be 1) a Michigan resident and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days; 2) a U.S. citizen; 3) at least eighteen years of age, and 4) not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.
Catholic Teaching and Parish Resources
Before voting, Catholics are called to consider each ballot choice carefully, armed with a well-formed conscience. They also have the opportunity to elevate the public dialogue, promoting values such as civility, clarity, and compassion through the Civilize It campaign. Civilize It is a non-partisan call to focus on the dignity of all people, even in times of disagreement.
Conscience Formation Resources
-
The Issues, The Candidates, and Your Vote 2020 Focus
-
A Reflection on Faithful Citizenship Diocese of Gaylord
-
Casting Our Votes for the Common Good Faith Magazine
-
Catholic Church Condemns Racism, Recognizes Human Dignity Detroit Catholic
-
Conscience Formation Insert
-
The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Part 1: Our Call as Catholic Citizens
-
The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Part 2: Making Moral Choices and Applying Our Principles
-
Faithful Citizenship Pastoral Aid
-
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship USCCB
-
Priorities at the Polls Most Reverend Joseph F. Naumann
USCCB Faithful Citizenship Videos
- Faithful Citizens Work with Christ as He Builds His Kingdom
- Catholics Participate in Public Life
- Catholics Love Their Neighbors
- Catholics Protect Human Life and Dignity
- Catholics Promote the Common Good
Guidelines for Parish Staff
The Michigan Catholic Conference (MCC) Board of Directors often speak to issues that are both moral and political. The consistent ethic of life demands a concern for all the weak and vulnerable members of our society throughout all phases of life and must be promoted through the Church's social teaching and its applications to today's social concerns. The independence and integrity of the Church's social teaching must be maintained. To this end, we reaffirm the long-standing prohibition of the distribution of election year material unless published by the diocesan bishop, the MCC, or the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.
-
2020 Election Year Guidelines for Catholic Parishes and Organizations
-
Guías para el Año de Elecciones 2020 para las Parroquias y Organizaciones Católicas
Civility Resources: Civilize It
-
Civilize It Pledge
-
Examination of Conscience
-
Insert: Civil Dialogue
-
This Election Season, “Civilize It” The Word from Lansing
-
Promote Civility, Love Others, and Build Community This Election The Word from Lansing
-
State’s Catholic Leaders Encourage Voters to ‘Civilize It’ This Election Season Detroit Catholic
Social Media Graphics
Ballot and Candidate Information
As Catholic are considering their voting choices, it is important to gather background and facts about all the issues and candidates on their individual ballot. A worksheet from MCC, Questions for Evaluating Candidate Positions, may be helpful in gathering information.
Issues
Note: The analyses for each ballot proposal were last updated on 10/28/20. They will be updated when and if additional information comes forward regarding an organization’s support or opposition to the measure.
Candidates
-
Presidential Candidates
Democrat
Republican
Green
Libertarian
Natural Law
US Taxpayers
-
U.S. Senate Candidates
-
Gary Peters Democrat
-
John James Republican
-
Marcia Squier Green
-
Doug Dern Natural Law
-
Valerie Willis US Taxpayers
-
-
U.S. House Candidates
District 1
District 2
-
Bryan Berghoef Democrat
-
Bill Huizenga Republican
-
Jean-Michel Creviere Green
-
Max Reikse Libertarian
-
Gerald Van Sickle US Taxpayers
District 3
District 4
District 5
-
Dan Kildee Democrat
-
Tim Kelly Republican
-
James Harris Libertarian
-
Kathy Goodwin Working Class
District 6
-
Jon Hoadley Democrat
-
Fred Upton Republican
-
John Lawrence Green
-
Jeffrey DePoy Libertarian
District 7
District 8
District 9
-
Andy Levin Democrat
-
Charles Langworthy Republican
-
Mike Saliba Libertarian
-
Andrea Kirby Working Class
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
-
Rashida Tlaib Democrat
-
David Dudenhoefer Republican
-
D.Etta Wilcoxon Green
-
Articia Bomer US Taxpayers
-
Sam Johnson Working Class
District 14
-
- Michigan Supreme Court
- Michigan State Board of Education
- Local Races
Note: Candidate photos are from campaign websites or Facebook pages.
Prayer and Saint Resources
Prayer is one of the first tools available to help instruct Catholics during this election season. It helps point individuals to what is right and how to act for justice in the world.
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship Prayer
Merciful Father, thank you for inviting each of us to join in your work of building the kingdom of love, justice, and peace. Draw us close to you in prayer as we discern your call in our families and communities. Send us forth to encounter all whom you love: those not yet born, those in poverty, those in need of welcome. Inspire us to respond to the call to faithful citizenship, during election season and beyond. Help us to imitate your charity and compassion and to serve as models of loving dialogue. Teach us to treat others with respect, even when we disagree, and seek to share your love and mercy. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever. Amen.
Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace: A Prayer for Civility
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where uncivil words prevail, show me how to model love. Help me remember the God-given dignity of all and invite others to do the same. Show me how to build bridges and not walls and see first what unites us rather than how we diverge. Let me seek to understand before asking to be understood. Give me a listening heart filled with empathy and compassion. May I be clear in sharing my own position and respectful and civil in describing those of others. Let me never tolerate hateful ideas. May I invite all to charity and love. Lord, help me to imitate your compassion and mercy. Make me an instrument of your peace. Amen.
Voting Resources and Logistics
Michiganders have the opportunity to cast their ballots through absentee voting or in-person voting on Tuesday, November 3.