Casting a Prayerful Vote -

 When a Gift is also a Duty

“The right to take part in the conduct of public affairs, including the right to vote and to stand for election, is at the core of democratic governments based on the will of the people. Genuine elections are thus a necessary and fundamental component of an environment that protects and promotes human rights.”

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, as updated in 2019 

In our country, these ideals of democracy are closer to the reality of democracy well run (if we consider how elections in a democracy are held across the globe) than in most other jurisdictions. That is a blessing from God, in my view. While they are not perfect, in 2025, we are in a better place than we have been before.

Our First Nations' peoples have the vote, our women have the vote, elections are not held on a weekday (meaning, more people of voting age have a chance of getting to the polling booth on election day), registration is uniformly coordinated across the land, lodging a postal vote is easy and they are counted in the same manner as votes cast on election day.

On election day, voting across the nation (polling stations, voting officials, voting slips) is uniform. And, you don’t have to wait long to vote - even at the peak time. (We complain about one hour here in Australia; in some countries, the wait can be six or more hours, and then they close the booth before the voters have even entered the facility).  

Voter suppression is almost non-existent and not systemic. Reports of large numbers of votes going missing is not characteristic of Australia’s electoral process. We have a (genuine) multiplicity of voting options – meaning that, as we head to the polling booth, we are charged with considering a range of possible voting decisions. It is reported that many as one in four Australians will vote differently on their Senate ballot compared to how they vote in their House of Representatives ballot.

If I had a frustration on any given election day, it is that I can only put a number 1 next to one candidate on each ballot paper. This means I have to work out which combination of policies I can live with the easiest from the array presented to me by the candidates. By that, I mean – I am passionate about a great many things and what I find is that, if one candidate has a policy that I agree with in one area, they may well have one or more policies I can’t agree to. 

The national political advocacy association we, along with all other CEN schools, are members of – the Australian Association of Christian Schools (AACS) – has deeply engaged with all political parties during this election cycle and has provided (on their website) different forms of analysis as the parties have responded to their enquiries. They are not advocating for one party over another; they have provided the feedback given to them in long form and summary, so you can make your decision based on those areas of policy that you are most passionate about.  

Find out more at https://www.aacs.net.au/election

Personally, I end up having to make a decision that is compromised (in purely principled terms) by the variability that exists. I am significantly informed by the impact policies each of the parties have shared will impact our school. But, I am not limited to that in my decision making – I will also consider issues like tertiary education funding, elderly persons needs, environment, infrastructure and the cost of living. 

You may have a similar list of interests; yours may be quite different. Isn’t it wonderful how God has made us all uniquely different, to add variability and diversity to our community life together!

As a citizen of Australia – it is my obligation to make a decision about where I cast my vote; as a citizen given this responsibility, I WILL make it.... as a citizen who is a Christian, I WILL make it AFTER much prayer and discernment. 

In Matthew 22:21 Jesus said: 

"Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's." 

And, in Romans 13:1, Paul exhorts us:

"Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God." 

And then, in obedience, I will live as one of God’s people, seeking to bring glory to His name, no matter what the outcome. 

Because, God will work through us, individually where we find ourselves, and as a community together, regardless of the result on the weekend. 

Because God is constant, God is in control, and His will WILL be done. 

Can I encourage you all, as we participate in our voting disciplines this weekend, to pray earnestly, pray continually, and vote well 😉

Shalom.