Next week, on Tuesday, April 1, you and I will be able to participate in one of our most important rights as Americans: the right to vote. This Spring Non-Partisan General Election is an especially important one—and we must recognize that casting an informed and responsible ballot is not only a civic opportunity but also a Christian obligation. It’s part of “rendering to Caesar that which is Caesar’s.”

So, what exactly are we voting on next Tuesday? Depending on where you live, your April 1 st ballot will contain a number of local non-partisan races along with the two statewide issues, the Wisconsin Supreme Court race and the referendum on the Governor’s partial veto power. There is no lack of coverage on the Supreme Court race, with press releases, radio spots and TV ads flooding Wisconsin newspapers and homes regarding incumbent Justice Louis Butler and challenger Judge Michael Gableman. The Frankenstein Veto referendum has received considerable coverage as well.

However, the hardest election information to find is always the local races. Local races rarely attract the newspaper and TV coverage that statewide issues do, but they are certainly just as important, if not more so. As the yard signs around your community attest, local races can be just as hotly contested as any statewide race—and for good reason.

Local elected officials have the most immediate, and potentially drastic, impact on you and your family. Local city councils make important policies on discrimination and zoning laws, school boards control the curricula and agenda your children, or your neighbor’s children, will be taught in public school. Local elected officials control where your local tax dollars go and set the rules in your community.

You might want to consider the following suggestions to help you get informed on your local races. First of all, call your municipal clerk's office to get a complete list of what offices and candidates will be on the ballot. Ask the clerk how to get phone numbers for the candidates or check your local phone directory, the Internet, and/or any campaign literature. For your convenience, Wisconsin Family Council’s online April 1 st election site contains a complete listing of all Wisconsin municipal clerks. That information is available at wifamilycouncil.org.

Local elected positions could include mayor, city council, town supervisors, county board, judicial positions, and school board positions. If you don’t know the character of the candidates, how they will interpret and fulfill their duties, or even who they are, how can you cast an informed vote?

Determine what the issues are in your area for the elected positions on your April 1 st ballot by reading the local newspaper—look for articles, press releases, ads, letters to the editor, endorsements, reports on forums, etc. Find out about any upcoming candidate forums or other public appearances and attend these events with your questions prepared.

Call the candidates—either at their residence or at their campaign headquarters if there is one. You might consider asking them the following general questions.

What made you decide to run for public office? Why are you running now for this particular position? What qualifies you to run for this position? What issues do you consider most important in your campaign? What's your view of the role of government? Who has endorsed you? Who has given you money for your campaign? Ask questions on the specific issues that are important to you and are pertinent to the office the candidate is seeking.

Stay alert for local radio programs, talk shows or community cable stations that will feature interviews with the candidates. Check the Internet to see if the candidate has a web site. Talk with knowledgeable people who are following the political scene. Find out what they know about the issues and the candidates.

All of the information I just mentioned and more regarding local elections and the two statewide issues, the Supreme Court race and the referendum, is available on our website at www.wifamilycouncil.org, or call 888-378-7395 to get that information.

Remember on April 1 that while voting is a privilege—a civic opportunity—it is also a Christian obligation. As Christians, we are to “render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s” and we are to be salt and light. Voting knowledgeably and responsibility and in line with our Christian values is one of the ways we fulfill these critical roles.

For Wisconsin Family Council, I’m Julaine Appling, reminding you the Prophet Hosea said, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”