Prolific abortion advocate Jessica Valenti has urged Democrats to elevate abortion as a “kitchen table” affordability issue, underscoring the high stakes of the upcoming midterm election.
As the November 3 midterm election approaches, American citizens have the privilege of voting. For residents in battleground states, that privilege may be paired with a barrage of YouTube ads, mailers, and polling phone calls. But the American right to vote remains a responsibility and an opportunity. And, even for those who are tepid about politics, unmotivated by their midterm candidates, and busy in the ministry of pregnancy help, the old adage (attributed to Pericles) remains true: “You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you."
As a nonprofit (501c3) organization, Heartbeat International does not endorse or oppose specific candidates. But our priorities–protecting unborn children and their mothers–are certainly all over the ballot this November. While Valenti’s enthusiasm for making abortion a top voting issue may not be matched by all her political allies or opponents, questions of promoting human dignity and protecting the work of pregnancy help do show up in a wide variety of ballot measures, congressional, judicial, and state races.
Even in a midterm election when our country is not choosing a president, the choices are meaningful. U.S. Senators will either support federal judges who seek to interpret the U.S. Constitution according to its original public meaning—or those who will prioritize their policy preferences and bash pregnancy centers and Abortion Pill Reversal along the way. Governors and attorneys general may either seek to limit the harms of mail-order chemical abortion, or launch a crusade against the organizations providing hope and help. And the vast array of state and local offices—while valuable positions in their own right—often serve as the launch pad for future higher office. Furthermore, citizens in Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia have the opportunity to weigh in on ballot measures directly promoting or attacking the dignity of the unborn.
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As a busy ministry leader, what should you do next? Let’s break it down: Learn more. And take action.
Learn more:
If you do not already have a trusted source, consider using a voter guide from one of the following organizations to learn more: Family Research Council Action, National Right to Life Victory Fund, or Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.
For a comprehensive review of candidates and ballot measures across the nation, consider the resource iVoter Guide, a Christian resource that features biographies, affiliations, endorsements, scorecards (by other advocacy groups), and campaign contributions for a wide range of candidates.
Tweet This: “You may not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you."
Take action:
Effective political engagement will extend rather than detract from your ministry—and your season of life, location, and other factors will naturally shape engagement. To get more involved, consider the following steps:
- Engage in public advocacy. To better understand the parameters for your nonprofit, consider reading this resource: "Guidelines for Political Activities of Not-For-Profit Organizations".
- Register to vote: Make sure that you are registered to vote here!
- Check your voting deadlines: You can find your state's information here.
- Join or create your state’s pregnancy help coalition: Find the coalitions in your state here.
- Connect with local pro-life advocacy groups: You can find your local family policy council here and your state's Right to Life group here.
The work of pregnancy help exists, in part, to help make sure that a decision to choose life is never based purely on affordability. Our work, in many ways, is pre-political and apolitical. But our work—and the precious people we serve—will benefit from leaders who believe in the dignity of mother and child and have the backbone to apply those beliefs in the public square.
Editor's note: Heartbeat International manages the Abortion Pill Rescue® Network (APRN) and Pregnancy Help News. Heartbeat is currently the subject of two lawsuits brought by state attorneys general concerning sharing information about Abortion Pill Reversal.
