A Guide to Catholic Voting
The Church encourages Catholics to exercise their rights and responsibilities as active participants in the American democracy, offering guidance through teaching documents, state voter guides and statements from their local bishops.
The Church does not endorse any candidate. However, the Church does ask Catholics, as faithful citizens, to make their election decisions based on a properly formed conscience, based on Catholic social teaching.
The U.S. bishops caution that their teachings should not be used selectively to serve partisan interests.
In 2020, the Church launched a campaign called “Civilize It,” which asks Catholics to pledge to be civil and compassionate when they engaged in political conversations with members of their families, parishes and other communities. Four years later, with another presidential election looming, this calling is more relevant than ever.
General Voter Information
State: sos.ca.gov
San Diego County: sdvote.com
Imperial County: elections.imperialcounty.org
Register to vote online: registertovote.ca.gov
Key Election Dates
Oct. 5: Ballots begin to be mailed to registered voters in San Diego County
Oct. 7: Ballots begin to be mailed to registered voters in Imperial County
Oct. 7-Nov. 4: In-person registration during early voting at county elections office
Oct. 21: By 11:59 p.m., deadline to register online at registertovote.ca.gov
Oct. 21: Registration by mail must be postmarked by this date.
Nov. 5: In-person registration and voting at voting locations on Election Day