Promote Civility. Love Our Neighbors. Build Community.

This is not a time for retreat…it is a time for renewed engagement.

Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, USCCB, 2019

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

  1. Check your voter registration status or register to vote
  2. Study and reflect on Catholic social teaching
  3. Review your ballot and voting choices
  4. Take the time to pray and ask for God’s direction
  5. 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.

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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

USCCB Faithful Citizenship Videos

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.

Civility Resources: Civilize It

Social Media Graphics

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Ballot and Candidate Information

As Catholic are considering their voting choices, it is important to gather background and facts about all the candidates and issues on their individual ballot. A worksheet from MCC, Questions for Evaluating Candidate Positions, may be helpful in gathering information.

Note: Candidate photos are from campaign websites or Facebook pages.

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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.

—Inspired by Nine Rules for Civility from the Catholic Tradition, Bishop Zubik

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Voting Resources and Logistics

Michiganders have the opportunity to cast their ballots through absentee voting or in-person voting on Tuesday, November 3.

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