Voting: A Conscious Choice in a Broken World

Leestijd / Lesezeit / Reading time: 7 min

Soon, the Netherlands will head to the polls again. Around this time, we also get asked whether we vote or even what we vote for. Let me answer that question like this:

In the Netherlands, voting is a right, not a duty. You are free to vote or not. In other countries, such as Belgium, voting is compulsory, meaning that by law you are required to vote or face fines or other sanctions. Germany does not have compulsory voting; there, voting is a voluntary right.

A personal struggle with political choices

But what do you do when you look at the parties and notice that almost everything they stand for does not align with God’s principles? Perhaps they support policies that go against your conscience, or their choices seem more focused on power and self-interest than on justice and righteousness. You may wonder: “Can I really fully support a party, or would I unknowingly endorse something against God?”

This is a situation many Christians recognize: you want to participate in the political process, but you may feel that no party truly represents God’s values. It can become a matter of conscience.

Obedience to governing authorities

The Bible calls believers to submit to governing authorities, because all authority is established by God:

“Let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.”
(Romans 13:1-2, NASB)

Obedience to governing authorities is here seen as obedience to God. At the same time, this does not mean you must automatically approve everything the government does or stands for. And again: “In the Netherlands, voting is a right, not a duty.” Using Romans 13:1-2 to claim that you must vote would be a distortion of the Bible.

When you cannot fully support any party

In situations where no party follows God’s principles, it can be wise to base your decision on prayer and wisdom. James 1:5 says:

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5, NASB)

By asking God for wisdom, you can make a decision that is faithful to your conscience. Sometimes this means choosing the party that goes least against your convictions; other times it may mean not voting, to avoid implicitly taking responsibility for policies you cannot morally support.

“But your vote is lost if you don’t vote”

Sometimes you hear the argument: “If you don’t vote, your vote is lost or automatically goes to the winners.” In reality, a non-cast vote does not literally go to another party; it simply is not counted. It may be true that your abstention does not affect the results, but that does not mean you should ignore your conscience.

Not voting means that you do not cast a vote. The Electoral Act (summarized from chapters 6 and 7) contains no mechanism whereby your vote “defaults to the largest party” or is “automatically distributed.” The effect is purely statistical: the more people do not vote, the lower the percentage of votes a party needs to secure a seat.

For a Christian, the key question is: Can I account for this vote before God? Romans 14:12 says:

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, NASB)

Your vote is not merely a political act, but also a spiritual one. If your conscience does not allow you to vote because no party upholds God’s principles, that is a valid choice. And if you do vote, do it in prayer and with responsibility, not out of fear of “losing something.”

“I’ll just choose the least bad option”

Some Christians say: “I’ll just choose the least bad party, then at least I’ve done something and the consequences are limited.” This is understandable, but the Bible reminds us that our ultimate responsibility does not lie with the government or society, but with God Himself, to whom we will give account:

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, NASB)

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10, NASB)

This means that even a vote for the “least bad” option is a moral and spiritual choice for which you give personal account to God. It is not only about practical consequences or political gain; your conscience and obedience to God come first. Therefore, prayer, wisdom, and consultation with fellow believers are crucial in every choice, even if there seems to be no perfect option.

Christians who vote to have influence

There are also Christians who choose to vote, even if parties are not perfect. Their motivation is that they can exert positive influence on policies and legislation, and help protect society from harmful decisions.

For example, Proverbs 11:14 teaches:

“Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in the abundance of counselors there is safety.” (Proverbs 11:14, NASB)

1 Peter 2:13-14 also emphasizes the importance of respecting authority and laws so that justice is maintained:

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right.” (1 Peter 2:13-14, NASB)

Christians who vote often do so with prayer and discernment, aiming to contribute as much as possible to righteous governance.

Options for Christians regarding voting or compulsory voting

Depending on the country and the law, a Christian can make different choices:

1. Not voting – in countries without compulsory voting, if no party aligns with your convictions.
2. Submitting a blank vote – especially in countries with compulsory voting, to comply legally without supporting any party.
3. Submitting an invalid or incorrect ballot – a way to fulfill the duty without voting substantively, in countries with compulsory voting.
4. Choosing the “least bad” option – selecting a party that goes least against your Christian convictions.
5. Voting to exert influence – participating in the process with prayer and wisdom to positively impact policies and governance.

Acts 5:29 remains guiding here:

“We must obey God rather than men.” (Acts 5:29, NASB)

In this way, you can remain faithful to your conscience while legally complying with the rules.

Practical steps for Christians: voting, abstaining, and influence

Christians can make their political choices consciously and combine them with prayer and active engagement, whether they vote or not:

1. Pray intentionally for wisdom – Ask God for insight and guidance in making your choice, as James 1:5 encourages. Also pray for the country’s leaders, that they make just decisions (1 Timothy 2:1-2, NASB).
2. Research parties and policies – Critically examine programs and determine which choices align most closely with God’s principles. Note where you agree and where your conscience objects.
3. Choose your method of participation
   • Not voting or casting a blank vote: exercise freedom of conscience and remain faithful to God’s principles.
   • Voting for the “least bad” option: try to exert positive influence within the limits of your convictions.
   • Voting to have influence: use your vote and involvement to guide policy choices that are just and biblically responsible.
4. Local engagement – Even without voting, you can influence society by being active in your church or local initiatives: volunteering, participating in community projects, or joining advisory boards that impact policy.
5. Continue in prayer and dialogue – Discuss your choices with fellow believers, pray together for wisdom, and stay alert to new opportunities to contribute to society in a righteous way.
6. Remember that you are not of this world – Even if you participate in elections or abstain, as a Christian you are ultimately not primarily of this world. Jesus says:

“I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.” (John 17:14-16, NASB)

This reminds us that our ultimate loyalty is to God, and our actions in politics and society must always be guided by His will and principles.

---

A personal note

Ultimately, I do not want to answer the question of what I personally do or who I vote for. That is my choice and my conscience, and I do not want to influence you with my opinion. I do not want anyone to make choices that do not align with what God has personally told them and later say: “Yes, but X said in that blog that I had to do this or that.”

You are the one who ultimately must give an account to God for your choices and your vote (or abstention). As Romans 14:12 says:

“So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12, NASB)

My hope is that these reflections help you make your own choices consciously, in prayer and with wisdom, and remain faithful to God’s principles, regardless of what others do or say.