Why is Voting So Difficult?

Every time I make a voting guide, I inevitably will get several messages from people thanking me for putting it together, saying things like, “I wouldn’t know what to do without it.” While I’m glad that people find my resources helpful, it’s not like this stuff always comes easily to me. Truth be told, even though I enjoy thinking about political issues, who or what to vote for is sometimes very difficult.

But why is voting so hard? What is it about voting that makes some people so frustrated that they give up and don’t vote at all?

Well, the simple answer is: Because it’s complicated! This may not exactly be the most profound answer, but it is true nonetheless. Perhaps to some of you who find it difficult, it might be comforting to hear this from someone who spends a lot of time studying and thinking about these issues. It isn’t easy for me. In fact, voting being an ‘easy’ thing is probably more the exception than the rule.

Yet, this wouldn’t be much of a blog post if I just told you that, “Voting is complicated. Therefore, go vote!” Let’s explore some of the reasons why voting is complicated.

People are Complicated

When you are voting, you are usually voting for a person. People are complex and different. You’ll never find two people who are 100% alike. This especially includes their values. Even among those who agree on the fundamental truths of life, you’ll probably never find anyone who agrees with them 100% of the time on every issue under the sun.

The same is true with voting. When voting, you’ll probably never find a politician with whom you will agree with on everything. You may agree with one person more than another, but having some level of disagreement (which is healthy to have) with any candidate makes things, well, complicated.

People are also complex when it comes to their morality and character. Surprise! No one is perfect. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). And probably to no one’s surprise, no politician is perfect (though some people seem to forget that if that person happens to be in their political party).

This has become especially poignant in the last 4 years in the era of Donald Trump, whose character, shall we say, doesn’t exactly exemplify Christian values the way that we should want. He’s narcissistic, childish, lacks self-control, and doesn’t exactly exemplify what it means to be wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16). If voting were based on moral character alone, then we probably shouldn’t vote for the guy. However, we need to take into account more than just the moral character of the individuals. It is important, but it’s not the only thing. Hence, again, voting is complicated.

The Issues are Complicated

Political issues can include things such as abortion, LGBTQ issues, taxes & regulations, monetary policy, civil rights, Second Amendment rights, hate speech, torture, education, immigration, the military & foreign policy, trade agreements, welfare, healthcare, Social Security, student loans, etc.—and that’s just a small list.

Aside from a handful of issues, most of them don’t have an explicit mandate from Scripture. Even one of the more clear-cut issues like abortion (“Do not murder” (Exodus 20:13)) can have some unexpected complications. For example, what do you do when the life of the mother is in danger? Her life is just as valuable as her child’s. (I discuss some of these things in my article on abortion)

However, though, don’t take this to mean that Scripture is insufficient for our needs. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, learning the underlying principles which derive from God’s character, and by knowing God more and becoming more like Jesus through the sanctification of the Spirit, we can learn to develop the wisdom to be able to navigate any of life’s challenges, including political ones.

Yet, it also goes without saying that these issues are complex and often require specialized knowledge in order to make informed decisions. It can make voters and politicians alike feel like they have to become experts in everything under the sun in order to make good decisions. This is why those who hold political office have a large staff, with particular people devoted to researching particular issues. One person can’t possibly know all the answers to such things.

So, what about voters? We can’t possibly be experts in all these areas either. The prospect of trying to be well-informed on everything sounds overwhelming, so overwhelming that many people don’t vote. Yet, this isn’t the solution. As I’ll explain later, the issues are complicated, but the complexity of the challenge should not lead us to disengage.

The Solutions are Complicated

Understanding the challenges of our time is complicated enough, but what are we supposed to do about it? For every problem, there are a dozen proposed solutions.

Having a greater understanding of the problems will often lead you to eliminate potentially bad solutions. But even with this, sometimes there’s just no knowing what solution is going to work best. Often times, this means having to make the best decision you can without knowing what the exact results will be. That’s okay. That’s a part of life. You make the best decisions that you can and learn from the results.

The Political System is Complicated.

Beyond the complications of the people and the issues at stake are the complications of the political system itself. Which offices am I voting for? Who are these judges? What does an assemblyman do?

One of the other deterrents to voting is the sheer number of political offices to vote for. From the President, to Congress, to Governors, to State Legislators, to County Officials, to judges, to City Council Members, to School Board, etc., the amount of bureaucracy can feel overwhelming (one of many reasons why I favor small government, a republican (little ‘r’) form of government, and the principle of federalism—more on that some other time if you’re not sure what I’m talking about).

Learning about the function and form of government is something Americans are supposed to learn in school. Yet, it’s only at a very rudimentary level. And, let’s be honest, people forget most of it. This is one area where I would strongly urge every American to have a better understanding, as this will greatly help you in all of your voting decisions.

Life is Complicated

Let’s not forget to mention that life aside from politics and voting is complicated. The challenges of work, family, spiritual battles, health issues, etc. can make politics and voting seem like it matters less and less. Our time is limited. Our mental and physical capacities are limited. Who can think about such things in the midst of life’s challenges?

Conclusion: Making the Best of a Fallen World

The ultimate reason why voting is complicated is due to the effects of sin. We live in a fallen world with fallen people and imperfect solutions to the complex challenges that result from sin. Politics and voting are one big balancing act of innumerable moral principles and calls us to exercise good judgment and wisdom for things that are much bigger than us as individuals. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. There’s no shame in that. It can feel that way to me too!

In conclusion, though, let me leave you with a couple thoughts:

1. Continue to steward your responsibilities.

Whether you are aware of it or not, politics is an intrinsic part of our daily lives. Most people simply get used to it or don’t think about it. In the midst of this, God calls Christians to be engaged with our culture (i.e. “Love your neighbor”). To the extent possible, we should steward our political responsibilities well. There may be circumstances where you are unable to vote (and that’s okay!) but for most people, failing to vote comes from either being intimidated or because they don’t make it a high enough priority. Neither of those are where God calls us to be as Christians.

2. Use the resources available to you.

One of the joys of our modern age is the availability of knowledge and immediate access to those who have specialized knowledge. Voting is a community effort as much as it is an individual effort. Seek out those you know and trust and see what their opinions are about various issues. For those with less time, voting guides are a helpful resource in helping simplify this equation. Look at 2 or 3 and compare what they say. It might take an hour or two, but for something important which comes about only once or twice a year, it’s worth the effort, especially given the impact it has on our society.

3. Remember where your hope lies.

We have to remember that no ultimate solution to these things can be found apart from the redemption that only Jesus Christ can bring. His life, death, and resurrection restored the most fundamental aspect of life of being eternally separated from God through sin. But this didn’t restore all aspects of our earthly life. We still live in a fallen world. For that solution, we must look towards Christ’s second coming, when he will be ruling and reigning as a perfect King, and when he will eventually remake heaven and earth. This is where our hope and identity should ultimately lie, not in political machinations or in the political parties of this earth.

We won’t have to worry about voting then. Jesus is God. He is perfect in all ways and will rule perfectly in all ways.