The statewide election is just days away. While many Michigan residents may have voted already, chances are many of us will be stepping into the voting booth on Nov. 3.
To vote is a privilege we are afforded as American citizens. As Catholics, voting is also a moral obligation. The Church recognizes that selecting our government leaders is an opportunity to shape the moral fabric of our society, which the U.S. bishops have said is “a requirement of our faith” and a “basic part of the mission we have received from Jesus Christ.”
The faithful are called to form their conscience in accordance with Church teaching, and to evaluate their voting choices in light of Catholic social tradition. This process involves prayer, discernment, and time to reach an understanding of the candidates and their positions.
To help Catholics navigate this process each election year, Michigan Catholic Conference makes available to the faithful a variety of voting-related resources that could yet be helpful in the coming days as you prepare to cast a ballot.
Earlier this year, MCC published its faithful citizenship edition of Focus, titled "Form Your Conscience, Vote With Faith." This publication, available in print and online at micatholic.org/election2026, provides a basic overview of the bishops’ teachings to the faithful on how to approach voting.
As a practical guide to navigating this era of widespread misinformation, the publication also discusses how Catholics can be “media mindful,” with advice from a religious order of sisters who call themselves the “media nuns” about how to be better-informed media consumers.
MCC has also published a website that serves as a one-stop voting resource shop for Catholics at micatholic.org/electionresources. The site provides various materials that could be helpful throughout the voting process, including a guide to the U.S. bishops’ teachings on intrinsic evils, links to assist with voter registration and view what is on your ballot, and a guide to modeling faithful citizenship in family settings.
While the Church does not support or endorse candidates, the Church can and will speak to ballot issues and their policy impacts as they pertain to the common good. This year, the bishops in Michigan unanimously voted to oppose Proposal 1 and are encouraging Catholics to vote no on the measure, which asks voters to convene a constitutional convention. MCC has published and distributed a one-page handout explaining the bishops’ position and the details on the proposal, which is available online at cthl.cc/2026p1.
The bishops did not take a position on the other ballot measure known as Proposal 2, but MCC has provided an informational handout on that question to help Catholics become informed and decide their vote on that issue, which is available at cthl.cc/2026p2.
As with any election, there is much at stake for Michigan this November: The next governor, secretary of state, attorney general, and U.S. senator will be selected. Each of the state’s 13 congressional seats, 110 state House seats, and 38 state Senate seats are up for election, along with many other local issues.
Catholics should take heart that when they vote with a well-formed conscience grounded in the truths of the faith, they contribute to being the salt, light, and leaven that our state, country, and world need.
To slightly paraphrase the spiritual motto of St. Padre Pio: Pray, vote, and don’t worry!
The Word from Lansing is a regular column for Catholic news outlets provided by Michigan Catholic Conference, the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state.
