Opportunities for Impact
This year, everyone will face elections which will likewise impact the trajectory of our nation, our states, our schools, and our communities. We can't afford to be unprepared, and we need to prepare our friends who share our values.
I’m not just talking about the General Election in November. Are you aware of all your opportunities to stand for Judeo-Christian values at the ballot box? Primaries, runoffs, local elections, special elections . . . so many voters don’t know what these elections are and how each one is important. And if they don't know, they won't vote, and they won't make a difference.
Please take this summary of the different types of elections and share it with others to equip and encourage them to vote in 2024.
What is a Primary Election?
Your first election in the year is likely the primary election. The purpose of a primary is to narrow down the choices of candidates for the General Election—whether those candidates are running for president, state legislator, or other offices.
The Republican primary is a contest between Republican candidates that determines the Republican nominees for each office, and the Democratic Primary likewise determines the Democratic nominees. Some states hold jungle or “all party” primaries, where candidates from all parties run against each other in the primary, and the top two or top four advance to the General Election, regardless of their party.
What are open versus closed primaries?
In states with closed primaries, you are required to register with a political party before voting in that party’s primary. In states with open primaries, you do not have to register with a political party before voting in that party’s primary. Other states have partially open or partially closed primaries, and a few are open to unaffiliated voters but don’t allow voters from the opposite party to vote in the other party’s primary.
Does the presidential primary happen at the same time as the primary for other offices?
It depends on your state!
Some states hold their presidential primary on the same day as their state primary. The state primary is the election for other offices besides the president . . . like U.S. Representative, Senator, governor, state legislator, etc. Other states hold their presidential primary on a different day. (For example, Oklahoma holds their presidential primary in March, but their state primary isn’t until June.)
The primary is unique because it allows you to find a candidate who more closely represents your values. The quality of candidates who make it to the General Election are determined by voters in the primary. I encourage you to read my article on the Importance of Primary Elections.
What is a Caucus?
In a few states, a candidate is nominated by a caucus rather than a primary election. You may have heard of the Iowa Caucus—the most famous in the nation. A caucus is a meeting, run by a political party, where attendees nominate a candidate for the General Election.
In a handful of states, one party will hold a caucus while the other party will hold a primary election instead of a caucus. Make sure you know what the process is for your state so you won’t be caught by surprise!
What is a Runoff Election?
In non-presidential races, when no candidate meets the criteria for winning (either in a primary or a General Election), a runoff election may take place between the top two candidates.
Some states don’t require runoff elections because they don’t require a candidate to obtain over 50% of the vote to win. If they receive the most votes out of all other candidates (a plurality), regardless of percentage, they win outright. States with Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) also do not require a runoff for those elections. See our article here for an explanation of Ranked Choice Voting.
What is a General Election?
I like to think of the General Election like the Super Bowl—the showdown between the final two football teams. In the General Election, the two candidates who were nominated in each party’s primaries plus any third-party or independent candidates will “face off” to determine who will take office. In states with jungle primaries, it is possible for voters to have two candidates from the same party in the general election.
Remember that many more candidates besides the presidential candidates will be on the General Election ballot! The General Election always occurs on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November. In 2024, the election falls on November 5.
What is a Special Election?
Special elections are held to fill a vacancy in an office. Sometimes the governor will temporarily appoint someone to fill the vacancy until a special election can take place. Many voters are unaware of special elections, yet they present a unique opportunity to swing a seat in a different direction. Check out our article on other reasons why these elections are so special.
What is a State Constitutional Amendment Election?
Some elections contain ballot measures (called propositions or issues) to amend the state constitution. Your state constitution outlines the structure and limits of your state government, just like the U.S. Constitution outlines the structure and limits of the federal government.
These elections can have long-lasting consequences, as we sadly saw in Ohio. If the proposed amendment(s) pass, they are enshrined in the state constitution and can’t be changed by a law. They can only be reversed by another election.
iVoterGuide will be covering more of these ballot measures in 2024!
What is a Local Election?
Local elections include city (municipal), county, and school board elections. Your local candidates may be on the same ballot as the November General Election, or you might vote for them at a completely different time of year. For example, some cities in Texas conduct their local elections in May, while others elect their city council members in November with all the other offices on the General Election ballot.
Don’t let the low turnout rates of these elections fool you. Your city council and school board members can significantly influence your day-to-day life. Those positions also serve as a springboard to higher offices. A good or bad candidate can get their start at the local level.
As iVoterGuide grows, we’ll be able to cover more and more of your local races. Until then, be sure to check with your county elections division to get a sample ballot before you go to the polls.
What are Bond Elections and Local Ballot Measures?
Local elections can have more than local candidates for city council and school board. They frequently include bond elections or local ballot measures.
In a bond election, voters decide whether to allow their local government (city, county, or school board) to borrow money to finance a specific project.
Other local ballot measures may propose a change to the tax rate or some other decision, such as whether to allow alcohol to be sold in the county. Some cities have even held elections to determine whether they will be a sanctuary city for the unborn—a city that doesn’t allow abortions.
Get Ready!
As you can see, we are blessed with so many opportunities to elect candidates who represent our values in numerous positions, high and low. But we are also responsible for what we do with these precious opportunities.
That is why iVoterGuide was born—to help voters like you who hold Judeo-Christian values discern where your candidates stand so you can cast informed votes and keep our nation free.
This year, I challenge you to take three actions:
- Tell your neighbors, friends, and family to sign up for our emails so we can let them know when it is time to vote and what we are covering on their ballot.
- Pray for the elections . . . and for the iVoterGuide team as we research and evaluate thousands of candidates and share this information with voters across the country!
Together, let’s be faithful with the many opportunities God has given us.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
