Who to Vote for as a Christian: Why Most People Get it Wrong

You're standing in the voting booth, the curtain is closed, and honestly, your heart is racing a little. It’s 2026. The ads have been screaming at you for months. One side says if you don't vote for them, you’re betraying the Gospel. The other side says if you don't vote for them, you’re standing on the wrong side of history. It’s a lot.

Everyone wants to tell you who to vote for as a Christian, but they usually start with a political party instead of a Person. And by Person, I mean Jesus.

Look, choosing a candidate isn't about finding a "Savior-in-Chief." We already have a Savior. It’s about stewardship. It’s about taking this weird, messy, democratic power we’ve been given and trying to use it in a way that doesn’t make God wince. But how do you actually do that when neither candidate looks like they’ve read the Sermon on the Mount lately?

The "Perfect Candidate" Myth

Let's get one thing straight: you’re never going to find a perfect candidate. Ever.

Unless Jesus Himself is on the ballot (spoiler: He’s not running for the House of Representatives), you’re choosing between two fallen, sinful people. Some people call this "choosing the lesser of two evils." I prefer thinking of it as "choosing the greater good."

Think about Daniel in the Old Testament. He served under Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was... not a great guy. He was a pagan king who literally threw people into furnaces. Yet, Daniel worked within that system to seek the "welfare of the city." That’s our job too. We aren't looking for a pastor; we’re looking for a civil servant who will create the best environment for human flourishing.

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Policy Over Personality (Mostly)

It’s easy to get hung up on how a candidate talks. Maybe they’re a jerk on social media. Or maybe they’re super polished but you feel like they’re lying through their teeth.

Character matters. A lot. Proverbs 29:2 says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people mourn." But here’s where it gets tricky: a candidate’s "character" is often most clearly seen in their policies.

If a candidate is "nice" but supports laws that hurt the vulnerable, is that good character? If a candidate is "mean" but protects the unborn and ensures religious freedom, is that bad character? It’s rarely a clean-cut choice. You’ve got to weigh the long-term impact of their actual platform against the short-term annoyance of their personality.

The Big Three Issues

While every election is different, most Christians I know focus on a few "non-negotiables."

1. The Sanctity of Life: This isn't just a political talking point. It’s a Genesis 1 thing. Every person is made in the Imago Dei—the image of God. This includes the unborn, but honestly, it also includes the refugee, the elderly, and the person on death row.
2. Religious Liberty: We need the freedom to live out our faith. Not just the freedom to go to church on Sunday, but the freedom to run businesses and non-profits according to our convictions without the government breathing down our necks.
3. Justice for the Poor: The Bible is obsessed with how we treat the "least of these." Any candidate who ignores the plight of the poor or the marginalized is missing a huge chunk of God’s heart.

What Most People Get Wrong

The biggest mistake? Treating your political party like a religion.

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If you find yourself defending every single thing your "side" does—even when it clearly contradicts Scripture—you’ve probably moved from "voting your values" to "worshipping your party." No political party has a monopoly on the Kingdom of God. The Republican platform might align with Christian views on life and religious liberty, while the Democratic platform might align more with views on social justice and caring for the environment.

You’ve got to be a "political orphan" sometimes. It’s okay to feel like you don't fully fit in either camp. In fact, it’s probably a sign you’re actually thinking for yourself.

How to Actually Decide

So, how do you do it? How do you pick?

First, pray. And I don't mean a quick "God, bless my vote" on the way to the polls. I mean really asking for discernment. James 1:5 says if we lack wisdom, we should ask. He gives it generously.

Second, do your homework. Don't just watch the news clips. Read the actual party platforms. Check the voting records. See what they do, not just what they say. Websites like iVoterGuide or the Christian Voter Guide can be super helpful because they aggregate data based on biblical metrics rather than just soundbites.

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Third, talk to people. Not just the people who agree with you. Talk to other believers who see things differently. Ask them why they’re voting the way they are. You might find that you both love Jesus and value the Bible, but you’re prioritizing different principles. That’s okay. Iron sharpens iron.

The "None of the Above" Option

Sometimes, you look at the ballot and you just can't do it. You feel like voting for either person would violate your conscience.

Is it okay to stay home? Or to write someone in?

Honestly, some people will tell you that not voting is a "vote for the other side." But your vote is your stewardship. If you truly believe that participating in a particular race would be sinful for you, don't do it. Romans 14:23 says, "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin."

However, remember that "seeking the welfare of the city" (Jeremiah 29:7) usually involves choosing the best available path, even if it’s a rocky one.

Moving Forward: Actionable Steps

1. Identify your Top 5 Biblical Values: Sit down with your Bible and a notepad. What are the five things you believe God cares most about regarding government? (e.g., Justice, Life, Family, Stewardship, Truth).
2. Run the Candidates through the Grid: Take those 5 values and see how each candidate stacks up. Don't look for a 100% match—look for the closest match.
3. Check the Local Races: We get so obsessed with the President, but your local school board and city council often have a bigger impact on your daily life and your neighbor’s well-being. Don't leave those blank.
4. Commit to Prayer After the Election: Whoever wins, our job stays the same. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 tells us to pray for those in authority. Whether you voted for them or not, they need God’s guidance.

At the end of the day, your hope isn't in an elephant or a donkey. It’s in a Lamb. Vote with a clear conscience, love your neighbor, and remember that the Kingdom of God isn't up for election. It’s already here, and it’s not going anywhere.