FPL Senate Runoff Early Voting Press Conference
Remarks by the Rev. Guillermo A. Arboleda, Rector of St. Matthew's Episcopal Church (Savannah) and Missioner for Racial Justice in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia
Delivered on December 14, 2020
This has been a long and difficult election season. Whether you work for a campaign or a voting rights non-profit, or you’re just tired of seeing all those political ads on TV, we’re all exhausted. It’s been a long season. This election arguably dates back to 2017, when the President launched his re-election campaign. It ramped up with the long Democratic Primary season beginning in mid-2019. It continued through primary elections and was transformed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Even after Election Day, we needed several days to project the outcome of the presidential election. There have been weeks of legal disputes about the results of that election, none of which have been substantiated on any level. And finally, here in Georgia, the election is not complete. When it comes to our two U.S. Senate seats, we have a runoff election before us.
Today marks the beginning of Georgia’s early voting period for this Senate Runoff race (in addition to any local runoffs). This race will be incredibly consequential. Hanging in the balance is which party will control the United States Senate for the next two years. By proxy, this election will decide whether or not the incoming Biden Administration will be able to accomplish its legislative agenda. The ability to turn Democratic bills into law or for Republicans to block the passage of those bills will affect the direction of the entire nation, but as it turns out, Georgians now get the deciding vote.
Throughout 2020, the President and his supporters have cast doubt upon the fair, due process of our election system, and that criticism has continued after November 3. But it is important to reiterate that many officials from both major political parties have affirmed that this year’s election was fair and free of any significant fraud or interference. The Georgia Secretary of State’s office (which is run by a Republican administration) is to be commended for adapting quickly to the pandemic, addressing concerns that arose out of the June primaries, and for conducting a timely and thorough recount of the November results. Despite claims to the contrary, our votes do count, and people of both parties in our state and local governments have acted with integrity. We ought to be proud that our nation’s institutions have weathered this storm of international interference and unfounded internal criticism.
So as early voting begins today in Georgia, I implore Georgians of faith (and those with no faith at all) to trust and engage in the voting process. There is too much at stake for us to fall prey to fear-mongering and cynicism. Instead, let us take action to exercise our right to vote.
Whichever way you intend to vote, please remember that your vote is both a political and a moral action. Our votes should reflect our core values, the ones we develop and clarify in our many worshipping communities. I do not advocate some kind of theocracy or imposed religious rule, but we people of faith need to remember that God is with us when we vote.
We don’t get to separate our political and social views from our theological ones. Our belief in a God who loves all people and desires just, fair treatment of all people should guide our decision making at the polls. Now, God is perfect and people are not, so there are no perfect candidates. But God has given us wisdom, discernment, and communities of people around us to help us decide which persons will best represent our core values in the halls of Congress.
Practically, I urge you to make a plan to vote right away. If you have already requested and received an absentee ballot, please complete it and mail it today. If you do not already have an absentee ballot in hand, plan a day during the Early Voting Period to vote in person in your county. And as a last resort, carve out some time on Tuesday, January 5, to go to your local polling place and cast your ballot in this runoff election. I know that many of our listeners heeded this wisdom for the General Election, and we need to take the same approach in this Runoff. The stakes are high, and the voices of the people ought to be heard. Please make your voice count and vote!
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