vote. My father had put his life on the line as a member of the U.S. military, defending the cause of freedom. It only made sense that he would also be a good soldier when it came to voting — an attribute he passed along to his daughters. Much is at stake in the 2024 election. While Presidential campaigns command the spotlight, it’s important to remember that all U.S. House seats are up for election, as are 33 U.S. Senate seats. In the Commonwealth I call home, Pennsylvania, an astounding 203 state House races will be decided, along with 25 state Senate contests. It is crucial not to discount state and local races, where many issues affecting the right to life are decided. Meanwhile, abortion and assisted suicide are literally on the ballot in a number of states because of proposed constitutional amendments. The U.S. Supreme Court’s overturn of Roe v. Wade through the 2022 Dobbs decision have brought abortion to the forefront in elections across the country. As the executive director of the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, the Keystone State affiliate of National Right to Life, I have seen first-hand how elections affect public policy. In one recent case, a county council in Pennsylvania was considering a measure that would have declared the county an “abortion sanctuary.” The designation would have meant that, even if the state legislature passed a law protecting preborn babies and their mothers from the harm of abortion, abortions in that county could have continued. Thankfully, the measure did not pass. But the situation points to the reality that elections have consequences — in some cases, life-or-death consequences. Stakes are high With the stakes so high, we as citizens need to be engaged more now than ever before. Activism is evidence of our faith in action and needs to be part of our daily lives, not just at election time, but all year round. Here are some tips for becoming — and staying — engaged: l Reach out to your state National Right to Life affiliate. A complete list of affiliates can be found at www.nrlc.org. Sign up for the affiliate’s digital or printed newsletter. Such communications can include everything from legislative voting records to suggestions for ways to lobby your lawmakers. l Educate yourself about the critical issues facing your state and local government. Many officeholders offer online newsletters to constituents that include major public policy questions currently under debate. l Keep the lines of communication open, e-mailing and calling your legislators when important issues are up for a vote. Lawmakers do pay attention to constituent messages and phone calls. l Consider writing a letter to the editor offering your views on the issues of the day. Keep the letter short and succinct, following the newspaper’s guidelines for word length. Thanks to the internet, your message can have a broad and monumental reach! l Be a force for civic good on social media! Post timely articles about topics of interest on Facebook and X (The Catholic News Agency and the National Catholic Register can be great resources for such posts.). Victories — both political and legislative — are within our reach, even with some cultural currents flowing against the Catholic faith. Protecting life One of my first professional legis - lative assignments was to try to gar - ner enough votes to pass a bill that would ensure no taxpayer funding of abortion in our state. I remem - ber praying the Rosary as I walked through the parking garage near the state Capitol. I was on a mission — to meet with legislators to persuade them of the importance of keeping public dollars away from abortion. Advocates for life were able to win that key legislative battle — thanks to the votes of two legislators, who voiced their support for the bill. I recall watching the vote in my office via a video feed from the Capitol — and dropping to my knees with a quick prayer of thanksgiving to God for a favorable result. Research consistently has shown that abortion totals increase where there is taxpayer funding of abortion. Therefore, many lives may have been spared as a result of that legislative vote. Guided by the Holy Spirit, and faithful to God’s call, we can work public policy miracles. Lives can be saved, minds can be changed, and hearts can be opened up to the beauty of a civilization that promotes the common good while protecting the most vulnerable. Maria Gallagher is the author of Mercy’s Power: Inspiration to Serve the Gospel of Life (B63-MPOW) and Glorious Encounters with Mary: A Guide to Living the Mysteries of the Rosary (B63-GLMY), both available on ShopMercy.org. Marian Helper • Fall 2024 • Marian.org 25 While Presidential campaigns command the spotlight, it’s important to remember that all U.S. House seats are up for election, as are 33 U.S. Senate seats.
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