Enact Catholic social teaching in election

The lack of television ads and high priced campaigns notwithstanding, an extremely important election will take place in Utah on Nov. 5. The results of the election will affect public safety, land use within cities, local property taxes, road safety, economic development, and, in at least one case, public education. Why is this mentioned in the Catholic newspaper? Because Tuesday’s municipal elections will have great impact on under-served populations in our cities and towns, yet these populations will not be well represented unless Catholics vote with social justice ideals in mind.

City council and mayor elections are a democratic ideal. These races are non-partisan, forcing voters to actually discover, without relying on party platforms, where the candidates stand on bread and butter issues like local parks, sidewalks, potholes, property taxes, zoning ordinances and snow removal.

Local races also give voters the most access to their elected official – no need to travel to Washington, D.C. or the state Capitol to talk to your local mayor.

Despite all of this, the percentage of eligible voters turning out for this election will be in the teens. This abysmal level of voter participation means disadvantaged populations who might have a more direct say in policies that affect them on a daily basis – public safety and infrastructure – will not be heard. And that is a great concern for Catholics who follow our Church’s social teaching on the importance of participation in our communities and providing preferential option for the poor.

Catholicism is a participatory religion. All the standing, kneeling, sitting, holding hands, shaking hands, and sharing in a common Eucharistic celebration at Mass are reminders of this fact. We are a communal church, and our community extends far beyond our parish, as do our obligations to the common good. Catholics are not only expected to vote and otherwise engage in our political community, we are morally obligated to do so.

This obligation stems from our baptismal promise to follow Jesus Christ and to bear Christian witness in all we do. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, "It is necessary that all participate, each according to his position and role, in promoting the common good. This obligation is inherent in the dignity of the human person. ... As far as possible citizens should take an active part in public life."

In the upcoming municipal elections, we have two important roles to play in public life. First, we must vote, and encourage others to vote. Our form of government depends on our participation.

But we don’t just vote for the person we like best or who promises to lower our tax bill the most. Our second role in the political process is to vote in a manner that will best aid the under-served in our cities and towns. In other words, we vote on behalf of the poor and any other people who would otherwise have no voice in the election, but stand to be harmed by the results.

For example, if our city council is considering whether to locate a highly polluting business in a poor neighborhood, we should be asking council candidates what their position is on the issue and voting in the best interests of the poor. If a candidate suggests that property taxes should be raised, we need to consider the impact on low-income home owners and the purposes for such tax increases. If our neighbors a few blocks away lack safe sidewalks for children walking to school, we need to query the candidates on their commitment to public safety, even if our own sidewalks are already in place and well maintained.

And, I repeat, we must vote. We are our brothers’ and sisters’ keeper and we vote in solidarity with them, particularly in municipal races that impact all of our lives on a daily basis.