Richard Land, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission said, “With so much at stake, we all need to do our homework before we step into that voting booth.”  Voting is not an option according to Land.

“There is no reason for any voter to willingly forfeit their right to vote in this election or any other election,” Land said.  If the candidates seeking the presidential office do not suit a voters desire in a candidate that does not work for a pass to sit at home on Election Day Land shared. 

Voters should not have to wonder where the two major U.S. political parties stand on issues of today.  Land was speaking in reference to the ERLC publication guide recently that compares the Democratic and Republican platforms side by side. 

A wide range of issues are in the quadrennial Party Platform Comparison Guide, excerpts are selected from both the Democratic and Republican party platforms on different issues such as, civil rights, human trafficking, illegal immigration, judicial appointments and stem cell research, and other issues.  You can go to www.iVoteValues.com and download the guides or you can order full color print copies.

Land acknowledged “Many pastors are naturally suspicious of so-called ‘voter guides’.  He noted, “The Party Platform Comparison Guide contains no analysis or commentary.  This resource was designed to be well within the guidelines set forth under the IRS tax code for distribution within 501 (C) (3) organizations.” A similar guide has been published by the SBC’s entity for moral and ethical concerns for every presidential election since 1992.

The ERLC in developing the guide focuses on substantive proposals and pledges from the platforms, omitting campaign rhetoric or partisan attacks, Land shared.  Also noted by Land many topics are covered in the platforms and they are not included in the comparison resource due to constraints on space in the guide.  “While the Party Platform Comparison Guide will give voters a good idea of where the two parties stand on a wide variety of subject areas, concerned voters should read the actual platforms for themselves,” Land said.

“We are hoping this will wet the appetite of those who are committed to voting their values on Election Day.  An informed voter is a voter prepared to fulfill his or her civic obligations,” Land said.  Both major parties platforms have links at iVoteValues.com with each section of the guide referring to the page number in the parties’ platform from which the excerpts were taken. 

The guide also contains a summary of "Dos and Don'ts" relating to churches and pastors and electioneering in a campaign season. A more complete version is located at iVoteValues.com/legals.

Land said the guide reflects the ERLC commitment to help Southern Baptists and others to "vote their values, their beliefs and their convictions, not their party or their pocketbook."

You can go to iVoteValues.com and click the “Party Platforms” tab to access the Party Platform Comparison Guide in digital format.  The guides can be purchased in a limited number of 25-count bundles from ERLC by calling 1-800-475-9127 or at the ERLC online marketplace, familybookstore.net

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