don’t skip the primary: a gen z guide to early influence
by abby Ralph
Primary elections are in full swing across the nation! This is a call to Gen Z to make your voice heard and VOTE!
What is a primary election?
A primary election is where voters choose which candidate will represent a political party in the general election later in the year. So, you can vote as either a Democrat or Republican and choose from all the candidates in that party running for a position. For example, let’s say it’s a year to elect one of your United States Senators. There may be 5 Republicans and 4 Democrats running for that seat. When you go to vote as a Republican, you choose one of those 5 candidates to be on the ballot in the general election. When you go to vote as a Democrat, you choose one of those 4 candidates to be on the ballot in the general election. The candidate that is chosen in each party will then run against each other in the general election.
Some states require you to vote in the party you are registered in, some don’t require you to disclose which party you affiliate with when you register but require you to choose a party’s ballot when you show up to vote. You cannot vote in both a Republican and Democrat primary – you will be required to choose.
Can I vote early?
In many states, you can vote early. Every state is different, and each state chooses their early voting dates, if they allow early voting at all. Other states will send a mail-in ballot automatically, while others you must request one ahead of time. If you request a mail-in ballot, you usually are required to get it notarized before mailing it back in.
What if no one wins the majority in a primary election?
Sometimes, runoffs occur! This means the vote count was too close and no one received 51% of the vote. This leads to the top two candidates with the most votes to run against each other in a runoff. This will take place between the primary and general election.
What are the voting eligibility requirements?
· You must be a U.S. citizen.
· You must be 18 years old by Election Day.
· You must be registered to vote (check with your state on deadlines to register before Election Day).
Why is voting important?
Voting is how we make our voices heard and elect the best candidates to represent us in office. As Christians, we should care about voting because elected officials create policies that have a direct impact on the lives of God’s people. God’s Word has much to say on political topics such as taxation, immigration, abortion, justice, and more. When we vote for candidates who most closely align with biblical values, our nation will thrive.
If you don’t feel that any candidate is a believer, vote based on their platform or their previous voting record – whoever most closely stands on biblical truth should get your vote.
What resources can help me when voting?
Christians Engaged, our parent organization, has many awesome resources when it comes to voting.
First, you can take the pledge to pray, vote, and engage. This will sign you up to receive voting reminders before elections so you never miss the chance to vote again!
We have election resources by state – this allows you to see the election dates in your state as well as your state’s election website! We also include a school board roadmap, local elections roadmap, and more.
You can also check out our party platform comparison. We are a nonpartisan organization, so we will never tell you to vote Republican or Democrat. However, we can compare each party’s official platform language to what scripture says. This will help you navigate voting based on biblical values.
For Christians who want to advocate for biblical values, we have Family Policy Councils in about 40 states. See if your state has one and connect with them to get more involved! You can find this information on your state’s election information page linked above.
Voting as young believers is so important. We are the future of this nation, and we can make our voice heard by voting for godly candidates who stand on biblical truth.