Midwest Mary

On November 5, 2024, Americans vote in a presidential election. Early voting has already begun in many areas, including where I live. I proudly and enthusiastically submitted my vote last week.

Every election is important, but Americans are particularly invested in presidential campaigns. The president is the head of state, head of government, and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. It is the president’s responsibility to enforce laws created by Congress. The president is also privileged to issue executive orders and extend pardons for federal crimes.

Most importantly, our president represents us and the people we are. The president acts with the American individuals in mind both within our country and the world at large. This elected official embodies our interests, values, and goals, as well as offers an example of leadership for our children to emulate.

To be considered for candidacy, United States presidents must be 35 years of age or older, be natural-born citizens, and have lived in the country for at least 14 years.

Unfortunately, presidents are elected via the 538 electors in the Electoral College. According to usa.gov, the winner of each state’s residential votes goes to the state’s number of electoral votes. For example, Illinois has 19 electoral votes. Whoever wins the majority of votes in Illinois gets all those 19 votes. A candidate needs at least 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

This bizarre election process has resulted in five elections awarded to individuals who did not win the majority of votes, the popular vote. In addition, twice in American history, no candidate attained the majority of electoral votes. On those occasions, the House of Representatives selects the winner. A constitutional amendment would have to be made to change this law.

Abraham Lincoln is regarded as the greatest president in US history. (He was president from March 4, 1861 until his assassination on April 15, 1865.) This acknowledgment is based on his leadership during the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. Other achievements and qualities include his approval of the printing of paper currency, the re-establishment of a national banking system, and his powerful Gettysburg Address. Lincoln’s leadership style, efforts to unify the American people, relationship with Congress, the belief that there should be justice for all, honesty, and intelligence are also highly praised.

According to the Council of Catholic bishops, when choosing a candidate for office, our primary concern should be for the common good, the care of the poor, and social justice. The dignity of life is to be respected from conception to death for all people regardless of their financial status, ethnicity, creed, or gender orientation.

News media and public polls claim that the 2024 Presidential campaign is close. Many Americans find this difficult to believe because of their convictions about a particular candidate or party and challenge to understand the draw to the other very different candidate.

My vote went to the candidate I believe is best qualified to represent my views on social justice, peace, honesty, national unity, and the dignity of all people throughout their entire life. She is also someone I believe is a positive role model for my grandchildren.

Please pray for the United States and a peaceful election and transition of power that results in the best possible president for our country and the world.

*Photo courtesy of Patti Brewer

Post © 2024, Mary K. Doyle