With today’s monumental election, voters across America will grapple with choices that transcend party lines. While polls often categorize voters by race, age, and gender, a deeper divide may come into play: faith. For many, the decision isn’t just about a candidate’s policies, but also what their spiritual conscious dictates.

The role of religion in voting isn’t new. Historically, people of faith have used their beliefs to shape their political choices. From how they raise their children to how they view economic policies, religious doctrines often influence their stance on key issues.

“The country is noticing how important religion is to elections,” said Herbert Weisberg, Jewish-American expert and professor emeritus of political science at the Ohio State University.

According to a Pew Research survey of 11,377 Americans conducted Nov. 16- 27, 2022 with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.5 percentage points, the gap in voting preferences by religious attendance was as wide as it’s been in any of the last several elections: 56 percent of those who said they attend religious services a few times a year or less reported voting for Democratic candidates in the 2022 midterms; 42 percent supported Republican candidates.

But GOP candidates were the favorite among those who attend services monthly or more by more than two-to-one (67 percent vs. 31 percent who voted for Democratic candidates) according to voting patterns in the Pew 2022 elections research.

Together, a combined 57 percent of U.S adults – a clear majority – express a positive view of religion’s influence on American life. 

Faith-driven voting

Christianity, for instance, is deeply embedded in the country’s political landscape. In recent years, charismatic Christian leaders have claimed Donald Trump’s presidency as a divine intervention, a belief that spurred fervent support among some evangelical voters. This conviction drove significant portions of Trump’s base, who believed the spiritual battle was not just for political office but for the soul of America.

“Christian Nationalism has been a part of the founding of America,” said Matthew Taylor, a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies.

Though they don’t think Trump is very religious himself, most Republicans and people in religious groups that tend to favor the Republican Party do think he stands up at least to some extent for people with religious beliefs. Two-thirds of Republicans and independents who lean toward the GOP (67 percent) say Trump stands up for people with their religious beliefs “a great deal,” “quite a bit” or “some.” About the same share of White evangelical Protestants (69 percent) say this about Trump according to Pew.

“2000s was the values voters,” said Taylor “Now it’s about the Christian power.”

Similarly, 60 percent of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents, as well as 73 percent of Jewish Americans and 60% of Black Protestants, say Biden stands up for people with their religious beliefs a great deal, quite a bit or some according to Pew.

Muslim Americans, particularly since the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack on Israel and ongoing attacks by Israel on Gaza, are grappling with the U.S. government’s response. Before 9/11, the ongoing foreign policy dynamics have seen many turning to third-party candidates as a form of protest. Many Muslim voters, particularly in swing states, are disillusioned with both parties’ positions on Palestine, leading them to vote “uncommitted” as a symbolic rejection of current policies according to Saeed Ahmed Khan, eastern studies professor at Wayne State. 

A letter, written and released in collaboration with the Abandon Harris campaign, was signed by more than three dozen religious leaders from all around the country, including Imam Dawud Walid, Dr Shadee Elmasry, Imam Omar Suleiman, Dr Yasir Qadhi, and Imam Tom Facchine.

“We want to be absolutely clear: don’t stay home and skip voting,” the letter read. “This year, make a statement by voting third party for the presidential ticket. Equally important, vote all the way down the ballot for candidates and policies that stand for truth.”,” the letter said.

The letter continued: “The Democratic Party’s ongoing refusal to show any intention of reform, even as we  witness the greatest catastrophe in modern history, along with the Republican promise to only worsen this evil, leaves us no choice but to take this step. We ask Allah to guide us to righteousness, to always stand with the oppressed, and to grant the downtrodden victory over their oppressors wherever they may be. Ameen.” 

For Jewish Americans, the largest concerns lie in economic and environmental policies. 

“Jewish voters are paying close attention to inflation, climate change, and the rise in antisemitism on college campuses,” Weisberg said.

The Jewish vote has historically aligned with the Democratic Party, but now faces challenges, particularly around the Biden administration’s response to Israeli issues and global antisemitism.

According to a Pew Research survey of 11,201 Americans conducted July 31 to Aug. 6, 2023 with a margin of error of plus or minus 1.4 percentage points, in comparison with “religious adults, SBNRs (spiritual but not religious adults) are relatively young (58 percent of adult SBNRs are under age 50, compared with 45 percent of religious Americans) and more likely to identify as Democrats or Democratic-leaning independents (60 percent vs. 39 percent).”

On the other hand, 8 in 10 Americans say “religion is losing influence in public life,” according to Pew.

Key issues at play

48 percent of U.S. adults say there’s “a great deal” of or “some” conflict between their religious beliefs and mainstream American culture, up from 42 percent in 2020.

Across religious communities, cultural issues such as LGBTQ+ rights and reproductive rights play pivotal roles. In conservative Christian and Muslim circles, there’s concern over the influence of LGBTQ+ education on school curriculums. In Dearborn, Michigan, Arab Muslim parents have been vocal in opposing books that normalize same-sex relationships being introduced to elementary school students.

Meanwhile, Jewish Americans prioritize reproductive rights, with many citing that in Jewish law, the health and well-being of the woman take precedence. These stances diverge sharply from the more stringent anti-abortion beliefs in evangelical Christian communities, where abortion is often viewed as murder.

Faith and the Economy

Economic policies also reveal divisions. Jewish voters, for instance, have long supported government regulation since the New Deal, aligning themselves with liberal economic policies.

“Jews noticed when prices went up this year,” said Weisberg, referring to recent inflation, though he noted that some members of the public see the improving economy as a sign of stabilization.

On the other hand, Christian nationalist rhetoric has continued to push for a return to what supporters view as the moral and economic simplicity of earlier decades. This belief shapes their preference for limited government intervention and traditional family values.

As the election draws near, one thing remains clear: for many voters, the ballot is more than just a piece of paper—it’s a test of their faith. Whether rooted in Christian, Muslim, or Jewish values, voters across the religious spectrum will consult both their political and spiritual beliefs when making their choice for the next leaders of the United States. For these voters, their decision is a reflection of their values, guided by the whispers of their spiritual conscious.

“We are seeing that intersection of faith and politics more than ever,” Weisberg said. “It’s shaping not just how people vote, but why they vote.”