November 3rd is Election Day!
Faithful Citizenship
2024 Election Guidelines and Resources for Parishes and Schools
“The Church is involved in the political process but is not partisan. The Church cannot champion any candidate or party. Our cause is the defense of human life and dignity and the protection of the weak and vulnerable.”
– U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship, No. 58
Visit these sites to learn more about how the Church encourages us to participate in political life.
- Elections 2024 – California Catholic Conference (cacatholic.org)
- Faithful Citizenship – Justice Peace and Human Development | USCCB
- How do I form my conscience for voting? – California Catholic Conference (cacatholic.org)
- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship – PDF | USCCB
- Do’s and Don’ts Guidelines During Election Season | USCCB
Helpful Reminders for Evaluating Political Activity
DO…
• Share Catholic Social Teaching and apply these values to legislation, public issues, and ballot measures.
• Advocate for or against a particular ballot proposal – see Election 2024 link above.
• Conduct a non-partisan voter registration or get-out-the-vote drive.
• Encourage Catholics to evaluate candidate positions and form their consciences before voting.
• Check with the diocesan attorney if there are questions about appropriate political activity.
DON’T…
• Only invite selected candidates to address a church-sponsored group.
• Distribute partisan campaign literature or unapproved election material at the organization.
• Endorse/oppose candidates and political parties while acting as a representative of the Church.
• Use organizational resources to provide support for candidates, political parties, or Political Action Committees (PACs).
• Conduct a voter registration that is slanted toward one candidate or political party.
The California Catholic Conference reaffirms the long-standing prohibition of the distribution of election year material in parishes unless published by the diocesan bishop, CCC, or the USCCB.
California’s November 2024 Ballot Propositions
California voters will be asked to vote on 12 statewide ballot measures in the 2020 General Election on November 3, 2020. California Catholic Conference has provided a non-partisan analysis for each proposition with a sampling of the principles of Catholic social teaching to help us in that discernment. The California Catholic Conference has taken positions on two ballot measures, opposing both Proposition 14 and 20. California November general election ballot propositions.
Catholic Voters Resources
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- Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: A Call to Political Responsibility. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops provide a framework for Catholics in the United States. Available in English, Español
- Handout: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Available in English, Español
- USCCB Videos for Faithful Citizenship: Available in English, some Español
- USCCB Audio Messages for Faithful Citizenship: Available in English
- 7 Themes of Catholic Social Teaching: Available in English| Español
- Praying Like a Faithful Citizen: 9 New Ways to Pray: Available in English| Español
- Quotations From The Teachings and Documents of the Church Regarding Politics: English
- The Challenge of Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship: English