Vote your convictions, not your conscience

Each election cycle brings the opportunity for citizens of our great country to take part in an historical event: the ability to shape outcomes for possibly generations to come. We will set a path toward outcomes on topics such as our economy, justice system, education, equality, immigration and health care (among many important others). Whether or not we move toward a stronger union based upon our constitutional republic form of government is left in the hands of the citizens of the United States and our right to vote. This is heady stuff.

So what is the common guidance to citizens on how to decipher and choose a candidate responsible “to form a more perfect union”? Vote your conscience. To quote a popular Texas phrase, “That’s a bunch of bullsheeeeat!” Why? Because words matter.

In a world where certain terms are getting redefined to support a narrow view, or where influencers have repositioned ideologies to fit their own orthodoxy, our conscience is arguably one of our most untrustworthy sources for truth.

OK...don’t cancel me yet. There is a point to be made.

The human conscience is the “feeling of obligation to do right or be good” (Miriam Webster’s words, not mine). That’s right, a feeling. So prevailing wisdom is that our citizens leave the future of our country to “an emotional state or reaction”? A myriad of evidence points to unconscious bias and its undue influence when relying on our feelings in decision making (you can ask Siri to support this statement). This bias preys upon our current circumstances and can be a faulty compass when making decisions of this magnitude. A better path? Vote your convictions, not your conscience.

Convictions are formed through our experiences and what we have discerned throughout our life to be foundational truths. They transcend feelings and temporal or contextual beliefs. A compelling definition of conviction states: A Conviction is a belief you are willing to die for. That pretty well sums it up.

When you cast your ballot in this election or the next, whether for the local school board or our nation’s elected officials, filter out the noise brought about by extreme partisanship, biased media messages and temporal feelings. Instead, reflect on the beliefs you are willing to die for and vote your convictions.