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Understanding the Electoral College Today
After each citizen votes individually, a group of electors called the Electoral College makes the final choice for president and vice president of the United States of America. The Constitution outlines that each state appoints a number of electors equal to its number of senators and representatives, with an amendment later adding the District of Columbia. (U.S. territories do not vote for the presidency, and, therefore, do not have representation in the Electoral College.) With 538 total electors, a presidential candidate needs the majority of votes, or 270, to win the election. The highest number of votes from a state is 54 (California) with the lowest tied at 3 (Alaska,…
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Official Statement on Political Violence
In his first inaugural address, Abraham Lincoln said, âWe are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection.â This sentiment stands the test of time as a guidepost for a peaceful society. A commitment to peacemaking is the foundation for a healthy society that champions a variety of political values and ideals. From coast to coast, the range of life experience and thought within the United States of America is remarkable. Our culture is a conglomeration of wide-ranging ideas and priorities resulting from the diverse experiences of our population. We are each informed by our unique…
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Principles Matter â Peace
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. Your vote is your voice. Use it to protect peace. âThe building of . . . peace is a bold and solemn purpose. To proclaim it is easy. To serve it will be hard. And to attain it, we must be aware of its full meaning â and ready to pay its full price.â â Dwight D Eisenhower At some point today you turned on a faucet and water flowed out. Access to that water is life giving, but you may take it for granted. You donât pay much for that water â you likely didnât lay the pipes, build the treatment…
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Principles Matter â Faith
This article is part of our Principled Voter series. Does faith have a role to play in politics? In a democracy, it does. But letâs be precise about what that means. âWe claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.â â Articles of Faith 1:11 Religious freedom is a cornerstone of our democracy, allowing people to live in civic harmony with one another without sacrificing their convictions. Throughout our history, religious leaders and faith communities have played crucial roles in building a more perfect union. The Constitution…
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Call to Action: Commit to Accept Election Results
With the 2024 presidential election less than two weeks away, many are feeling deep apprehension about how the electoral process will play out. We can feel confident, however, knowing that over the past four years, public servants, elected officials, and the American people have worked tirelessly to shore up the institutions, infrastructure, and systems that have ensured our freedom and protected our liberties for more than 200 years. These efforts have resulted in the most secure and safe elections in our nation’s history. Certainty in elections has sustained our country through wars, economic downturns, social unrest, and political transitions. Even when we are deeply divided, our reliance on an election’s outcomes…
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Official Statement on the Upcoming Election
The United States of America has a storied history of self-governance. The once-radical idea that âwe the peopleâ can select our own government representatives is empowering. For nearly 250 years, our remarkable democratic republic has persisted and continued to align itself more closely with these ideals. What does a âgovernment of the people, by the people, for the peopleâ mean? It means citizens can choose what we want our government to look like. We have the opportunity to elect officials who will reflect the values we hold dear. Through our votes, we choose the political environment of our nation. In recent years, a subset of our elected officials and candidates…
