Dear CVN Community,

As this year’s election draws near, we are reminded of the profound ways in which our faith values and civic responsibility intersect. As service organizations, we witness daily the impact of policy decisions on the lives of those we serve—families struggling with poverty, underserved communities striving for equal access to essential resources, opportunities, and services, and immigrants seeking safety and opportunity. 

Our programs and volunteers, rooted in the Gospel call to serve, are on the front lines, accompanying those most affected by decisions made at every level of government. Elections are not just about individual choices—they shape the very systems that govern access to housing, healthcare, education, legal protections, and resources that impact daily life. The communities we serve feel these effects most acutely, often carrying the heaviest burdens of unjust policies and systemic neglect.

As faith-based organizations committed to justice and solidarity, we have a responsibility to use our voices and vote to advocate for policies that uplift the marginalized and protect the vulnerable. The stakes in this election are high. From tackling economic inequality and combating racism to protecting the environment and promoting human rights, the decisions made today will not only have an immediate impact but will also resonate in the lives of future generations. 

It is also worth naming that with this election come the growing threats to our democracy and the rise of white Christian nationalism. These forces undermine the values of justice, equality, and the dignity of every person that are essential to our moral values. Democracy thrives on the participation of all, but when exclusionary ideologies take root, they foster division, fear, and oppression. White Christian nationalism distorts our faith, using it as a tool of domination rather than one of service, solidarity, and love. We must stand together to reject these dangerous ideologies at every level of government, and affirm our commitment to a society that honors diversity, protects the vulnerable, and upholds the common good. 

If you have the privilege to vote, hold in your heart the people and communities we accompany through our service as you discern which leaders and policies truly embody what we most hold dear. Now more than ever, our vote is a moral act that can shape the future of a just and inclusive democracy. If you are not eligible to vote, use your voice to share with those in your life who can. Below you will find a list of resources we have compiled to help in discernment. Please use these resources for your own personal discernment, and share them with your volunteers, family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who has the privilege of voting. 

Voting is a profound expression of solidarity. It allows us to lift up the voices of those who are often systematically excluded and to advocate for a society where everyone has the opportunity to flourish. As we approach this election, let us open our hearts to the needs of our communities and step forward with the courage to act in faith, justice, and compassion. 

Together, we can help shape a future that reflects the values we live out in service every day.

In Solidarity,

Cecilia Flores
Executive Director
Catholic Volunteer Network

Resources to Help You Engage

• Catholic Charities – Action Center 
• Ignatian Solidarity Network – Voting Is An Act of Love
• Interfaith America – Faith in Elections Playbook 
• Interfaith Power & Light Voter Guide
• Jesuits – Contemplation and Political Action: An Ignatian Guide to Civic Engagement
• Network Lobby for Catholic Social Justice – ‘Vote Our Future’ Nonpartisan Catholic Social Justice Voter Education
• Pennsylvania Catholic Conference – Presidential Candidate Comparison
• Sisters of Mercy – All Things Election 2024
• USCCB – Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship 

• For more information on local elections and voting information, check out: Ballotpedia