Voting is not just a civic duty but a moral responsibility rooted in our Catholic faith. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2240) teaches that participating in political life, including voting, is essential for promoting the common good. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) emphasizes that responsible citizenship is a virtue, and our vote helps shape a society that upholds justice, dignity, and the welfare of all. As Catholics, we are called to use our vote to reflect Christ’s teachings and contribute to a more just and compassionate world.

To support you in forming your conscience this election season, the California Catholic Conference has compiled the following resources. Take a moment to explore them; staying informed is crucial. These tools will assist you in sharing valuable information with your Catholic community. Be a voice for California—stay engaged and involved!

October 21, 2024

Final day to register to vote – online or by mail

November 5, 2024

Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Final day to register to vote in person.

Register to vote
Find Your Nearest Polling Place
Where and How to Vote

Reflect: With all the noise and competing voices emerging during the election season, it can be easy to lose our peace. Our hopes can rise or shatter quite easily just from the news cycle. Elections can also bring out the worst in families, yielding misunderstanding, anger and bitterness.

Where does our hope come from? Our hope comes from the Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace. He is our Savior, the hope that sustains. St. Paul tells us that we were saved in hope (Rom 8:24) and that “hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5) as God’s love is poured out into our hearts.

Being mindful of the Lord’s presence in our lives can help us as we consider voting. The act of voting is an act of charity, a way of participating in building a world as God sees it. Pope Francis reminds us that participation in politics is a Christian obligation: “We, Christians, cannot ‘play Pilate’ and wash our hands…We must participate in politics because politics is one of the highest forms of charity because it seeks the common good.”

“Education and upbringing, concern for others, a well-integrated view of life and spiritual growth: all these are essential for quality human relationships and enabling society to react against injustices, aberrations and abuses of economic, technological, political and media power.” 

(Fratelli Tutti, 167) 

The California Catholic Conference of Bishops offers guidance on political advocacy for Catholic clergy and parishioners, emphasizing the importance of engaging in politics with a foundation in Catholic social teaching and ethical principles.