Many faith-based voters, including over 32 million self-identified Christians who regularly attend church, will likely abstain from voting in the 2024 presidential election. Research from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center, led by evangelical pollster George Barna, reveals that these voters may stay home due to a declining interest in politics.
Lack of Interest and Dislike for Candidates
The study highlights a sharp drop in voter enthusiasm between 2020 and 2024. A lack of interest in politics was the most common reason cited by two-thirds of potential non-voters. Furthermore, 57% of respondents expressed dissatisfaction with both leading candidates, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. This dissatisfaction, coupled with the belief that neither candidate aligns with their values, fuels the apathy among religious voters.
Impact on the Election
The data suggests that Trump’s re-election chances could be jeopardized if these trends hold, making Harris more likely to win. Barna encourages pastors to take an active role in urging congregants to vote, framing it as a civic and biblical responsibility.
Christian Perspective on Voting
President of Summit Ministries, Dr. Jeff Myers, emphasizes the importance of Christians considering constitutional principles like life, liberty, and property when voting. He warns against disengagement, arguing that the Bible calls Christians to be involved in shaping government. Myers asserts that neglecting to vote in a constitutional republic is akin to disobeying God’s command to respect governing authorities.
Source:
More Than 30M Christians Could Sit Out 2024 Presidential Election, Study Reveals
Photo by Phil Hearing on Unsplash
About Post Author
