You’ve probably seen the photos. A line of horse-drawn buggies parked outside a rural fire hall or a group of men in suspenders and straw hats standing near a "Trump 2024" sign. It feels like a glitch in the Matrix. We’re taught that the Amish live completely apart from the "English" world, yet there they are, appearing in the middle of the most heated political cycles in American history.
So, can Amish vote in federal elections?
Yeah, they absolutely can. Legally, they have the exact same rights as any other U.S. citizen born on soil. There’s no law stopping them. But if you’re asking if they actually do it, that’s where things get kinda complicated. Most of them don't. It’s not about the law; it’s about a deeply held religious conviction that their kingdom isn't of this world.
The Two-Kingdom Theology
To understand why most Amish stay home on Election Day, you have to look at how they see the universe. They follow something called "two-kingdom" theology. Basically, there’s the Kingdom of God (the church) and the kingdom of the world (the government).
In their eyes, the government is "ordained by God" to keep order among non-believers. It’s necessary for a messy world, sure. But the Amish believe their primary citizenship is in Heaven. Participating in the world’s power structures—like voting for a Commander-in-Chief—feels like a conflict of interest. If you’re a pacifist who won’t even sue a neighbor, how can you vote for a leader who oversees a massive military?
Why registration numbers are so low
If you look at the numbers, they're tiny. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania—the epicenter of Amish life—there were about 38,000 Amish people in 2024. But remember, they have huge families. More than half are kids. Of the roughly 17,000 eligible adults, only about 3,000 actually voted in the 2020 election.
That’s less than 20% turnout in a community that is otherwise incredibly disciplined.
Can Amish Vote in Federal Elections? The Rules and the Reality
When an Amish person decides to vote, they face some unique hurdles.
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First, there’s the photo ID issue. Many states have strict voter ID laws. Since most Amish don't drive and often refuse to be photographed for religious reasons (it's seen as a "graven image"), getting a valid ID is a whole process. Some states allow for religious exemptions, but it’s still a barrier that keeps people away.
Then there’s the paperwork. The Amish don't have TVs. They don't have smartphones. They aren't seeing your Instagram ads or getting "Register to Vote" pop-ups on their feed.
Modern outreach is changing the game
In recent years, political operatives have realized that while the Amish vote is small, it’s concentrated in swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. In a race decided by a few thousand votes, the "Plain people" could technically tip the scales.
Groups like Amish PAC have started using old-school tactics to reach them:
- Billboards: Placed along buggy routes in Lancaster and Holmes County.
- Newspaper Ads: Buying space in Lancaster Farming or local circulars.
- Door-to-Door: Activists like Scott Presler have literally walked farm to farm to register voters.
These groups usually push Republican talking points. Why? Because the Amish are small business owners and farmers. They care about religious freedom, property rights, and keeping the government out of their schools and dairies. When a state inspector shuts down an Amish farm for selling raw milk, that gets people talking. And sometimes, it gets them to the polls.
The "Amos Miller" Effect
Speaking of raw milk, let’s talk about Amos Miller. He’s an Amish farmer in Pennsylvania who got into a massive legal battle with the state and federal government over his food processing practices.
To many Amish, this wasn't just about milk; it was about the government overstepping its bounds. It became a rallying cry. Some experts noted a slight uptick in interest in the 2024 cycle specifically because the community felt under attack.
But even with that kind of "threat," the majority still chose to stay out of it. They believe that God is in control of who wins, regardless of whose name is on the ballot.
Misconceptions and Viral Myths
You might have seen that viral post claiming 180,000 Amish registered to vote in Pennsylvania recently. Honestly? It was total nonsense.
The entire Amish population in PA is only around 92,000, and that includes babies and toddlers. The idea that 180,000 new voters suddenly appeared is mathematically impossible. People love a good "secret weapon" story in politics, but the reality is much more quiet.
Do they ever run for office?
Almost never. Serving in the government would mean exercising "coercive power" over others, which goes against their pacifist beliefs. You might see an Amish man on a local school board or a township committee—places where the issues are about gravel roads or zoning—but federal office is a hard "no."
What happens if they do vote?
There’s no "Amish police" that comes and arrests you for voting. However, it is discouraged by the church leadership (the Ordnung). In some very conservative "Old Order" districts, voting might be seen as a sign that you’re becoming too worldly.
In other, more progressive settlements, it’s viewed as a personal choice.
Actionable Insights for the Curious
If you’re trying to understand the impact of the Amish on the next election, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the "Raw Milk" issues: Local regulatory fights drive Amish political engagement more than any national "culture war" ever will.
- Look at local turnout: Don't trust national headlines about "The Amish Vote." Look at specific precincts in Lancaster (PA), Holmes (OH), and LaGrange (IN).
- Respect the silence: For every Amish person you see at a rally, there are ten others at home praying for the country but refusing to touch a ballot.
The question of whether the Amish can vote in federal elections isn't a legal one—it's a spiritual one. They have the right, but for many, exercising that right feels like losing something much more important: their separation from a broken world.
If you want to track real data on this, your best bet is following the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College. They do the actual legwork of checking voter rolls against church directories. It’s tedious work, but it’s the only way to get the real story behind the buggy at the ballot box.
To dive deeper into how religious groups interact with the state, you should look into the history of the National Amish Steering Committee, which was formed specifically to handle government relations without getting bogged down in partisan politics.
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By keeping an eye on how "Plain" communities handle local zoning and agricultural laws, you'll get a much clearer picture of their political future than any campaign ad could provide.