June 2022
Dear Friends,
In my family, the tradition is that everyone is expected to vote. Recently my mother, who is now in her mid 80’s, has served in elected office herself, and has always been vigorous in exercising her right to help choose our governmental leadership, expressed reluctance. “I’m too demoralized by everything,” she said. My sister-in-law quickly let my mother know that being too demoralized to vote was NOT an option.
Meanwhile, my younger daughter was camping in the wilderness when her absentee ballot arrived in San Diego. She diligently researched the options by making phone calls to the Registrar of Voters and also the US Postal Service and then instructed me to put her voting materials in a new envelope (new postage had to be paid) and send them General Delivery to the US Post Office in Hamilton, Montana (population slightly less than 5000 persons). The big city postal clerk who provided me with the necessary flat rate envelope was puzzled by what seemed to be an insufficient address. But a colleague offered assurance that the words “General Delivery,” along with the zip code, would work. Presuming my daughter is able to present her legal identification, she will be able to collect the mail with her name on it. As long as she gets her ballot back in the mail by June 7 and it arrives at its destination on or before June 14, her vote will count.
Jesus, of course, never weighed in specifically on the topic of voting rights and responsibilities. Voting was not really a “thing” 2100 years ago. But his emphases on compassion, inclusion, loving our neighbors as ourselves, serving one another, and seeking to do right in God’s eyes are certainly priorities that can inform us as we sift through the options and mark our ballots. I am grateful for all those who, whether in paid, volunteer, elected or appointed positions, conscientiously and devotedly do the work that supports all of us as we strive to meaningfully participate in our system of government. My “I voted” sticker is ready to be put to use!
May we be held in God’s grace and peace in this, and every, election season.
