I'm not going to talk about who to vote for in our upcoming election; rather, I'm going to discuss the principles we need to use as we come to vote. There are a number of passages we could draw on – including some important Old Testament texts – but I am going to restrict myself to two important New Testament ones. The first is from Paul's letter to the Romans:
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer: Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
(Romans 13:1-7)
Principle #1: Vote humbly
This passage teaches us that governing authorities are established by God, and are God's servants. Whoever wins the updating presidential election will have been appointed by God. It's very easy to be cynical about politicians, but God has set them over us. Because of this, we owe them respect and honor. This is respect for their position, even if they are not personally respectable.
Principle #2: Vote cautiously
Romans 13 also gives us a description of what the governing authorities ought to be doing: protecting the innocent and punishing the wicked. This is a limited view of government: its role is as a protector rather than a provider. Therefore, we must not expect the government to do great things for us. On the other hand, it is fully appropriate that we prioritize abortion as a voting issue, since one of the government's main jobs is protecting the vulnerable.
Principle #3: Vote thankfully
There is, however, another way of reading this passage. We must not think of the “governing authorities” as merely the various branches of government. In a democracy, they are all accountable to us, the people. As we vote, we must remember that we are the governing authorities, answerable to God for those we elect. And let's thank God for the opportunity.
The second passage is from Paul's first letter to Timothy:
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
(1 Timothy 2:1-4)
Principle #4: Vote prayerfully
Whoever wins the election will need our prayers! We are told here to pray for all who are in high positions: presidents, senators, governors, mayors. We can pray for their personal conversion, for integrity, for humility, for wisdom, for courage, for health and for strength.
Principle #5: Vote strategically
In 1 Timothy 2, however, there is a particular content and purpose to our prayers for those in authority: it is for freedom. We pray that our government will leave us alone, that we will be free to worship and evangelize and proclaim God's word. God wants people to be saved, and so we pray for the freedom and opportunity to preach the gospel. We live in a society where religious freedom is under threat, particularly in being able to clearly state what the Bible teaches: for example, that homosexuality is a sin. (Of course, we preach these things because we, like God, want to see homosexuals saved.) In this way, it is fully appropriate to prioritize religious freedom as a voting issue as well.
So when you vote, vote humbly, cautiously, thankfully, prayerfully, and strategically.