With the Nov. 5 presidential election fast approaching, I’m reminded of my family’s journey to American citizenship and the duties and privileges associated with it. Namely, voting. 

When I was 3 years old, I moved to the U.S. with my parents as legal immigrants, all our belongings packed away in suitcases and with a couple of hundred dollars in cash.  

It would take a little over 15 years for me to become an American citizen. I am casting my ballot for the first time this Election Day.  

Voting is a powerful way in which citizens may voice their opinions. When Americans vote for a candidate, they are not just voting for the person to take a position in office, they’re primarily voting for the policies that the candidate supports. These policies will radically shape how our nation functions.  

Over two-thirds (66.8%) of U.S. citizens 18 and older voted in the 2020 presidential election, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. So, roughly 1 in 3 Americans allowed their fellow citizens to determine who would represent them. 

Prior to becoming a U.S. citizen, I held different visas. At one point, I had a green card saying I was a “permanent resident.” It basically meant that I could do anything a citizen could, except vote. 

I didn’t think I would ever apply for U.S. citizenship. Since India doesn’t offer dual citizenship, I would have to give up my Indian citizenship to become an American citizen. 

I was born in India, and I wanted to preserve as much of my Indian heritage as possible, citizenship and all.  

But, after talking to my parents, we decided that it didn’t make sense for us to remain Indian citizens if we were going to spend the rest of our lives in America. So, we decided to start the lengthy process of becoming American citizens. 

The website of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services calls the U.S. a representative democracy. 

In Plato’s “Republic,” the philosopher Socrates says that, in a democracy, people are so busy with their private affairs—going to work, taking care of their families, embarking on new adventures—that they have no time or energy to engage in political matters. Thus, they vote for representatives to speak in their stead. 

When Americans vote, we vote for a representative—someone who shares a similar conscience to our own. 

Conscience means “with knowledge.” Thus, when we vote for a candidate, we vote with the knowledge that the candidate will represent us. 

If you choose not to vote, you are giving the government one less reason to fight for your beliefs. To fight for your conscience. 

As a Christian, I vote not only because it is my civic duty, but also because voting is a God-ordained way of picking a representative who most closely represents my views on the matters of my conscience.  

The idea of representative government comes from the Bible. In Exodus 18, Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, offers a novel model of leadership: representative government. Jethro tells Moses to select capable men who can serve as judges for the people.  

Why wouldn’t you capitalize on the opportunity to choose your representative? 

Many Christians “check out” of politics because they claim their “citizenship is in heaven.” A study released Oct. 7 by Arizona Christian University found that an estimated 32 million regular churchgoers will abstain from voting in this year’s presidential election. Placing your citizenship in heaven does not give you the right to ignore the political sphere in the here and now.  

In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray, saying to God the Father, “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” God’s will is being done on earth right now, but Christians must decide whether they want to participate in it. 

Acknowledging your heavenly citizenship is a reminder that a better place awaits us. Until we reach heaven, however, Christians must keep working to advance God’s kingdom in a place that isn’t their final destination.  

Psalm 33:12 says: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”  

How can Christians fulfill this when they choose to dissociate from political life altogether? 

In Jesus’ famous Sermon on the Mount, he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” As Christians, we should strive to bring peace. That may look like voting for a candidate whose policies best match this mission. 

This Election Day, let your voice and conscience be heard.