Biblical Voting
You have heard me use the phrase “biblical citizenship” many times. Biblical citizenship can apply to many aspects of the political process: from lobbying to letter writing, from “get out the vote” campaigns to voting for God-fearing men and women candidates. With elections just around the corner, let’s talk about voting.
There are two important aspects of a candidate for office: their personal character and their policies. Both are typically indicators of what will happen if the person is elected.
On the character side, we all want someone who exhibits Christ-like servanthood, but who can also take strong unbending stands on moral issues when needed. Someone who uses the Bible as a touchstone for their actions and doesn’t merely pay lip service to the Scriptures and its teachings. A person who truly wants to pursue biblical solutions to tough problems.
Is there a perfect candidate on the character side of things? Not a chance. Some may be closer to this ideal than others, but nobody meets these criteria to the extent they should, and that includes both of our current presidential candidates. I’m sure there are also candidates running for office here in our state that miss the mark to one extent or another.
All I can say is, let’s give a little grace on these character flaws. That’s not the same as giving politicians a pass – they should be held accountable for what they say and do. However, always keep in mind that you and I are just as flawed as the next person. Someone once told me, "we’re all broken, some of us just show the cracks sooner than others."
On the policy side, there can often be substantial differences between candidates. As North Dakota Family Alliance, we obviously focus on issues that fall under our umbrella, so here are some of the biblical issues I would consider for candidates at all levels.
Abortion: Does the candidate plan to enact policies that protect life from conception to natural death?
Religious Liberty: Is the free expression of religious beliefs something the candidate will protect, consistent with the First Amendment? This applies to individuals, businesses, elected officials, and others.
Education: Does the candidate uphold and protect the primary rights of parents to determine and guide the education of their children?
Marriage/Family: Is marriage defined as being between one man and one woman, biologically distinct from birth, and is this marriage the nucleus of a healthy family?
Disadvantaged: Is the candidate committed to helping the “widow and orphan” – those living on the fringes of society – as God commanded? This might include those such as the homeless, unemployed, families who can’t make ends meet, the disabled, etc.
While both personal character and policies are important when choosing a candidate, the difference is that policies live on and shape our county long after the elected official has faded into history. Some of the greatest presidents this country experienced over the years had spotted character attributes but did amazing things for the advancement of our nation and ensured we held to the fundamentals upon which this country was founded.
I’m not going to tell you who to vote for. In fact, North Dakota Family Alliance is nonpartisan, and we want to keep it that way. We want you to vote your conscience and vote your values on the types of issues highlighted above. If you do that, you are exercising your biblical citizenship and one of your most privileged freedoms. Do not waste it.
North Dakota's 69th Legislative Session
We are quickly approaching North Dakota’s 69th Legislative Session which begins on January 7, 2025! NDFA often encounters many questions during session, so we’ve tried to address the more common ones below. We want to provide helpful information to let you get more involved politically, as well as to help you better understand our organization. We hope you’ll find this valuable, share it with a friend, and revisit the details as needed during the 2025 session. Your voice matters! Let’s all help defend North Dakota’s values of Faith, Family, and Freedom.
How does a ND bill become law?
This document prepared by the ND Legislative Council provides an excellent overview of how a bill becomes law in North Dakota: ND Bill-Law Process. The legislature meets every other year (odd numbered years) and anywhere from 900-1,500 bills are introduced each session. Unlike some states, bills cannot be “killed in committee” and all bills are voted on at least once on the floor of the legislature. You can find a more detailed description of the bill process here, which was created by one of our partner organizations in ND.
Who can influence whether a bill passes or not?
Virtually anyone can provide input into the legislative process of a bill. This includes legislators (particularly members of the committees where bills are assigned), lobbyists, expert witnesses, and YOU. You can testify on any bill that is introduced into the legislature! With the advent of COVID, you can now even do this remotely. All of these contributors providing input on bills can submit written testimony and/or testify before the relevant committee to which the bill has been assigned. You can also influence the trajectory of a bill by calling your district legislators and talking to them directly, leaving a message, or emailing them. Find my legislators
Does it really make a difference if I contact my legislators about a bill or testify before a committee? I’m only one person.
YES, it matters a lot. On most bills, legislators get very few of his/her constituents contacting them about how they might vote. For example, if you are one of only 3 people from a legislator’s district that provides input on a bill, your input represents 33% of all the input the legislator receives from the people who voted them into office. Legislators place a great deal of importance on input provided by the residents of their districts.
Can I find out how my legislators voted on past bills?
Absolutely. That information is public and provided by the State of North Dakota, however, if you want to know how they voted on select bills most important to your family values, you can simply review our legislative scorecards we produce after each session. They can be found on our Resources page.
What is the difference between a bill and a resolution?
If a bill is passed, it becomes a law and is part of our ND body of law called The Century Code. However, if a resolution passes, it becomes a “statement” made by the ND Legislature regarding their position on some issue. A resolution is not law. At times, ND resolutions are used to put the federal government “on notice” that the State of ND takes a position on some issue, in which case the resolution is entered into the official documentation of Congress as well.
How do I find out which bills will affect my family values and be the most important?
Simply sign up for our advocacy alerts (Email signup at bottom of page). We let you know which bills are most important, where they are in the process, when to provide input, and even give you the opportunity to contact your legislators in a quick and easy way using our advocacy alert system. We post updates on social media on a regular basis as well (see our Resources page for social media links). Of course, you can always call us and ask about any bill, and we will be happy to help as well (701-355-6425).
How does NDFA and NDFALA represent my interests during the legislative session?
NDFALA, the part of our organization that primarily focuses on legislative issues, does a lot of work before, during, and after sessions. During a session we: review all 1,000+ bills multiple times to ensure we are not missing one that impacts family values, coordinate with other state organizations to develop strategies around these bills, do research about particular issues for legislators, occasionally author initial versions of bills in support of legislators, testify on bills, lobby legislators regarding their votes, track the status of each key bill and help facilitate a result that protects and advances your values, and continue to inform you of the status of key bills and help you get involved. The best way to stay informed about all this is by signing up for our emails. Email signup at bottom of page.
What else does NDFA/NDFALA do besides work on bills?
Our organization does a lot of things to represent your family values, both during and especially between legislative sessions. We speak at churches and other venues to discuss political issues, educate voters on the political process through our emails and social media, highlight critical issues that arise between sessions so you can take action (e.g., NDSU teaming with Planned Parenthood), advocate on your behalf on many issues, host conferences and rallies, plan for upcoming legislative sessions, produce documents and resources to help you learn about the ND political process, and much more.
What is NDFA’s purpose?
Please see our Mission and Vision Statements for the best explanation.
Is your organization Christian?
Yes, we are a Christian, ecumenical organization. Our beliefs may best be summed up in the Apostles' Creed and we work to advance these biblical principles in the policy arena.
How long have you been in existence?
NDFA was formed in 1987. For roughly 5 years we were part of Family Policy Alliance based out of Colorado, but we are now once again fully independent and able to focus more closely on North Dakota.
How big is your organization?
We have two full-time staff, our Executive Director, Mark Jorritsma, and Jacob Thomsen who serves as a Policy Analyst. We also have a part-time staff, Marit Heidbreder, who is our Executive Administrative Assistant. Because of our limited size, we love it when people offer to volunteer. Contact us if you're interested in volunteering. We would like to expand our organization to provide more influence, education, mobilization, etc. to fight on your behalf, but resource constraints currently limit our ability to do this.
Are you part of any particular political party?
No, we are nonpartisan and not part of any formal political party. If a particular party platform aligns with our beliefs and cause, that is wonderful, but is does not affiliate us with that party. NDFA is willing to work with anyone who believes in biblical family values, regardless of party, race, religion, sexual orientation, or other characteristic. We focus on issues and values, not parties.
Do you address national issues, too?
Yes, we do. While the focus is on our state, we know that national events clearly affect us. We get involved in national issues in two primary ways. First, we partner with national organizations such as Family Research Council, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life, Focus on the Family, Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Policy Alliance, and more. Second, NDFA is one of approximately 40 organizations just like us in other states. On a regular basis we launch national campaigns, author briefs to the Supreme Court, exchange information about national events and our positions on them, and coordinate on other important matters we all share.
How can I get more involved in the political process in North Dakota?
There are many ways to be part of the state and local political process and to make sure your views are heard and represented. Here is a quick list.
VOTE!
Become involved in your political party (district and/or state levels)
Sign up to receive our emailed legislative updates
Serve on your local public school board. People with biblical values are desperately needed on school boards!
Testify and directly communicate with your district legislators on key bills
Volunteer to help our organization and/or similar organizations (e.g., help with events/rallies, writing op-eds, etc.)
Help mobilize churches and business leaders to engage in the political process
Volunteer to help with a political campaign
Financially support NDFA and organizations like us
Become a Church Ambassador to serve as a public policy liaison between your church and NDFA
Serve in the ND Legislature
Do you have resources we can use to get more involved in the political process?
Yes, please see our Resources page.
2024 NDFALA Legislative Academy
On October 11th and 12th, NDFALA will launch its first Legislative Academy! The mission of our Legislative Academy is to help you, our state legislators, integrate your faith and best practices into your political work. You will gain knowledge, practical skills, and learnings from former legislators and other experts to tackle today’s tough issues in an uncompromising yet winsome way. Further, we endeavor to provide a vibrant community of Christian policymakers here in ND who encourage, inspire, and lift each other up in prayer. Our goal is that you become the most well-informed and effective Christian leaders in ND!
The Legislative Academy is a one-and-a-half-day event that starts with insights into the founding of our nation. We are blessed to have an incredible keynote speaker, Dr. Mark David Hall from Regent University, who will present: Did America Have a Christian Founding?: Separating Modern Myth from Historical Truth.
After this foundational start, experienced legislators who share your biblical worldview will provide insights and knowledge you can use. This includes institutional expertise beyond what you’ve already acquired, best practices, and skills to identify where things can go wrong. Some of the key topical areas will include life, family, education, energy, agriculture, and much more!
Because Legislative Academy is purely educational and because generous donors have agreed to underwrite the event’s expenses, there is no cost to you! We will provide all materials and meals during class-time hours. You would only need to pay for transportation and lodging for the event.
Media Training: We will also offer general media training to all participants from the national organization, Family Policy Alliance. In addition, we will be offering one-on-one media training with Autumn Leva of FPA, available to the first 10 legislators who sign up for Legislative Academy, so secure your spot today and take advantage of this great opportunity!
Friday Dinner: We are hosting a dinner at the Northern Lights Atrium of the North Dakota Heritage Center on Friday, the 11th at 6:00 pm. We invite you to bring along a plus one for dinner. Dr. Mark David Hall will be presenting a talk entitled: Why Tolerate Religion? The Rise and Fall of Religious Liberty in America. Dr. Hall will also be available for book signing and discussion after his presentation.
About Our Keynote Speaker: Dr. Mark David Hall
Mark David Hall is a professor at the Robertson School of Government at Regent University. He is an internationally recognized scholar of early America and an expert on the importance of Christianity in the flourishing of America’s experiment in ordered liberty. He is also widely regarded as a leading student of religious liberty and church-state relations in America. Hall serves as an expert witness for the U.S. Department of Justice, the State of Arkansas, Alliance Defending Freedom, and the Institute for Justice. Prior to Regent, he was the Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Politics at George Fox University.
Dr. Hall earned a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaton College (IL) and a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Virginia. Hall’s primary research and writing interests include American political theory, the relationship between religion and politics, and religious liberty/church-state relations.
Dr. Hall has written, edited, or co-edited over a dozen books, including:
Who’s Afraid of Christian Nationalism: Why Christian Nationalism is Not an Existential Threat to America or the Church (Fidelis Books, 2024)
Great Christian Jurists in American History (Cambridge University Press, 2019)
Faith and the Founders of the American Republic (Oxford University Press, 2014)
Roger Sherman and the Creation of the American Republic (Oxford University Press, 2013)
Dr. Hall has also penned more than 150 book chapters, journal articles, reviews, and other pieces.
About Autumn Leva
Autumn Leva is the Senior Vice President of Strategy at Family Policy Alliance and an attorney who has spent her career advocating for families at both the state and national levels of government, both from within and outside government. She has a breadth of political experience from statewide issue campaigns, federal candidate campaigns, voter engagement and get-out-the-vote efforts, and state and federal election compliance. Autumn is also a media veteran with decades of experience working with television, radio, and written communications. She designed the highly successful media training program for Family Policy Alliance Foundation’s Statesmen Academy, the premier national Academy for state legislators, which now has over 240 graduates serving in 41 state legislatures.
Autumn has led teams that collaborate with state and national allies to advance or defeat legislation that directly impacts families; micro-target key voters to impact critical elections; equip the grassroots to engage on policy and political issues that matter to families; and train and support elected leaders who advocate for families in the mission field of public office. Autumn and her team wrote the original “Help Not Harm” legislation, the first legislation of its kind prohibiting minor gender transitions, and then trained legislators and coalitions on how to run and message the bill, which is now in place in 23 states.
Autumn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education and a J.D. from Regent University School of Law, and she is licensed to practice law in Virginia.
Registration: We are currently able to offer our Legislative Academy to sitting legislators. There are only 30 spots available for the event, and they will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t delay – get your application in now before it fills up.
To apply for the 2024 Legislative Academy, click here. After you fill out the application, please scan and send it to mark@ndfamilyalliance.org with your plus one for Friday's dinner included in the email.
(Note: Election candidates who are not already in office are also welcome to apply to attend, to the extent space is available. They will be required to first be endorsed by North Dakota Family Alliance Legislative Action and to also cover their own cost of attendance. Contact us at 701-355-6425 for more information.)
Our next interview: Rep. Mike Motschenbacher
We are very excited to present to you our fifth legislator interview. Our purpose in doing legislator interviews is so that you can better get to know the legislators representing you, from both a personal and legislative perspective.*
For our fifth interview, we decided to visit with Representative Mike Motschenbacher from District 47. This past session, held in early 2023, was his first year as a Representative. He served on the House Finance and Taxation and Political Subdivisions Committees. We know you'll enjoy learning more about his experience in the Legislature, his work with constituents, and much more.
You can watch the interview here.
President Kamala Harris? No thank you.
Today you are privileged to hear from our latest addition to the NDFA family, Marit Heidbreder, who is now our Executive Administrative Assistant. As I think you’ll quickly see, her skills not only include administrative work, but also insightful and well-written political commentary.
- Mark
President Kamala Harris? No thank you.
“The first woman president would be an amazing achievement for our country, right?”, another waiting customer inquired as we waited our turn to be served. “I mean, you’re a woman too, surely you agree!” I kindly smiled and considered my response. I am certainly not against the advancement of females in the political arena, however, the woman in question and what specific beliefs and values female candidates may hold matter a great deal to the country. They will be serving and representing all of us and any consequences of those beliefs will have lasting effects. The implication was that because I am a woman, of course I would support any woman with her sights set on the role of President simply because it is perceived as advancing our gender. I respectfully replied that my hope for the upcoming election is that our country can achieve goals that align with my beliefs and values rather than my gender.
The drama of this election season is on full display around us as President Biden recently announced that he would not continue his bid for re-election, and instead endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee. Maybe you’ve heard some rejoicing from neighbors, friends, or relatives who may see hope in this turn of events for their party.
Unfortunately, Vice President Kamala Harris and her beliefs fall in direct opposition to the values of faith, family, and freedom both you and our organization hold. As most of us know by now, VP Harris is extremely dedicated to the pro-choice movement and has been outspoken that the Supreme Court took away a “constitutional right” from women with the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022. Before leaving the Senate to become Vice President, she received perfect 100 scorecard ratings from reproductive rights groups such as Planned Parenthood Action Fund, NARAL Pro-Choice America (now known as Reproductive Freedom for All), and NARAL Pro-Choice California. She’s adamant that when Congress passes legislation to return the “protections and freedoms” of Roe, she will sign it into law.
She’s concerned about protecting reproductive freedom and liberty, but whose freedom and liberty? Democrats routinely elevate the mother’s life and current circumstances above the unborn child’s life and future circumstances. However, according to Psalm 139 we know that God’s handiwork upon our lives begins in the womb where he began knitting us each together with meticulous care. Of course, we understand that a pregnancy is not always convenient or planned by the biological mother and father, but a baby is undoubtedly a gift from God (Psalm 127:3) and can certainly be a blessing to individuals such as those waiting to adopt.
Unfortunately, her distorted values don’t stop there. Vice President Harris has a long history of supporting the LBGTQ+ agenda. While she was a California Senator, she co-sponsored a bill that would force public schools to allow biologically male athletes who identify as transgender to play on girls’ sports teams. According to Harris, performing some of the first same-sex marriages in the U.S. was one of the most joyous experiences of her life. At a Pride event on June 4, 2023, she said, “We will not rest until everyone, no matter who they are or who they love, is treated equally and with dignity.” Later that same month while hosting a Pride event at her residence, she declared to the crowd, “Pride is patriotism!”. She even provided guests with Pride-themed, rainbow-colored, fans emblazoned with her VP seal and signature.
Our Biblical worldview tells us something else; that there are types of love that are abhorrent to God (Lev. 20:13). If our country’s leadership believes that all types of love are considered equal and permissible, that puts us outside of God’s commands and blessing.
We also know that VP Harris has a view of religious freedom that on the surface sounds faithful to the Constitution, but upon further inspection, is actually an erosion from what our forefathers intended in the First Amendment. She regularly touts “freedom of worship”, which to her means you may worship as you like on Sundays, but she doesn’t recognize the deeper freedoms we have to allow our decisions in life and work to align with our faith. The First Amendment has stronger wording which protects our right to freely exercise our faith. It’s plain that the term “exercise” has a broader intention than just freedom to worship. While she was a U.S. senator, Harris supported a bill called the Do No Harm Act that aimed to weaken our religious freedoms, which is highly concerning for the future direction of our country.
It's clear that Kamala Harris is not the right choice for a nation whose God is the Lord. At times it is hard to know how to positively engage with those around us who take a different view from our own. Especially when the other side can be so at odds with our faith and values. Sometimes I have taken the “bait” and regretted my words, so I always try to remember that first and foremost, everyone around me, regardless of where they fall politically, is a fellow child of God who is made in His image (Gen. 1:27). They may not realize that fact, but it doesn’t keep it from being true. Ultimately, as we engage with others, we want to be vessels for the love of Christ and endeavor to represent Him well. I pray each of us will embrace the opportunities we are given to do so!