“…and they’re off!” – that is, the voters of Nebraska!

You might be the type of person who votes on Election Day, and that’s great. But there will be a high number of Nebraskans voting early, either in-person or by mail—upwards of 40% or more of those voting.

In short, it’s no longer “Election Day” in Nebraska. It is “Election Month.”

If close to half of Nebraskans who vote are voting early, it means they are starting to make up their minds on important races and ballot issues.

This is an important fact to be aware of, and it’s one that should make us feel a particular sense of urgency.

We need to be talking with our family, friends, fellow parishioners, and other Nebraskans about Initiatives 434 and 439 and Referendum 435. Waiting until Nov. 4 to have these discussions is going to be too late for too many voters.

But this urgency doesn’t mean you should freak out, especially if you’re not sure what you need to do next. The steps are simple, and each of us can undertake them.

First, make sure you are praying and fasting. Praying and fasting will be the most important element of our efforts this election cycle to defeat the pro-abortion industry’s attempt to legalize abortion in Nebraska late into pregnancy (Initiative 439—vote AGAINST) and defeat the efforts of school choice opponents to strip children of their education funding (Referendum 435—vote RETAIN!), all while we uphold commonsense health and safety protections for women and babies (Initiative 434—vote FOR).

Second, make sure you know what’s going on with each effort. Visit www.voteAGAINST439.com for more info on Initiative 439. Go to www.NEcatholic.org to learn more about Initiative 434. Visit www.keepkidsfirstnebraska.com for more about Referendum 435.

Third, think about five to 10 people each week you can talk to about these initiatives and referendum. Your conversations don’t have to be long; they can be as short as a quick text message passing along some resources, for example, from www.voteAGAINST439.com. Every little conversation matters.

You are trusted by any number of people; they value your relationship and your opinion; and you have the chance to change minds and hearts. Maybe they just need the extra nudge to get off the couch and go vote, maybe they know nothing about the issues and you get to inform them, or maybe they’re on the other side of the issue and you get the providential opportunity to help them reconsider their position.

Fourth, if you want to take it a step further and get more involved by doing things like knocking on doors or making phone calls to fellow Nebraskans about these ballot issues, do not hesitate to contact me (tvenzor@necatholic.org; 402.477.7517) and we’ll get you connected to have conversations with even more voters.

Finally, as early voting begins, this is a prime opportunity to be encouraging people to vote, even if they vote early. There are lots of chances to encourage people to get to the voting booth, even if that voting booth is their kitchen table with their mail-in ballot. Don’t let somebody you know, who is on our side of the issues, miss the chance to vote in this next month—there’s no excuse for missing a month-long window to defend the safety and health of women and babies and the future educational opportunities of students.

We don’t want to wake up Nov. 6, knowing we fell short in our efforts. We need to “leave it all out on the field.” God wants our faithfulness, and women, babies, and children need our faithfulness.

Keep up your good work during these next several weeks as we march toward Election Day. May God, the Father of Mercies, grant Nebraska protection. St. Joan of Arc and Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us!