How should a devotee decide whom to vote for in an election?

Answer Podcast

How Should a Devotee Decide Whom to Vote for in an Election?

When a devotee participates in elections—for example, in America—what factors should they consider?

Well, our devotion should inspire us to engage responsibly with society. The form that engagement takes may vary from person to person, because we are all individuals. The practice of bhakti is primarily meant to connect our hearts with Krishna. And as a movement, we have consciously chosen to be apolitical—we do not endorse any particular political party or candidate.

That said, we don’t live in a political vacuum. Especially for devotees who are citizens and eligible voters, responsible civic participation is part of living in this world. Different devotees may consider different factors when evaluating political candidates and policies.

For instance, some devotees feel strongly that they cannot vote for candidates who support abortion. For them, the fact that the Democratic Party generally supports a pro-choice stance may be a deciding factor. They may feel that anyone who supports the killing of unborn children is disqualified from receiving their vote. That’s a valid and significant concern.

However, suppose a future election presents us with a situation where both major candidates are pro-choice. Should we then boycott the election entirely? I’m not saying that we should vote for a pro-choice candidate, but I’m suggesting that making any one issue the sole deciding factor might not always be the wisest or most practical approach.

Other devotees may focus on issues like religious freedom. For example, some feel that Democrats, being more liberal, tend to support multiculturalism and thus may offer greater freedom for minorities—including the Hare Krishna movement—to practice and propagate their faith. In contrast, Republicans are often aligned with evangelical Christians, who may be more opposed to non-Christian religious groups, including Hindus or Hare Krishnas.

That, too, is a relevant consideration. But even multiculturalism can become complex. Over time, it often becomes less about tolerance for all minorities and more about supporting specific groups that fit a particular political narrative. These may include communities such as Muslims, LGBTQ+ groups, or others. Whether the Hare Krishna community truly benefits from such policies can vary from case to case.

Another factor devotees might consider is governance competence. Even if a political leader or party does not explicitly support our spiritual values, if they run the state with reasonable material competence—ensuring physical safety, financial stability, and a low crime rate—it can create a peaceful environment in which we can practice our spirituality with less disturbance.

To give an example: In some countries, such as certain regions in Africa, political instability, armed uprisings, or corruption may make it very difficult to practice any kind of sustained spiritual life. So even if the government is neutral in terms of religion, basic competence in administration matters significantly.

For others, a personal connection with a candidate may matter. They may be inspired by someone they see as charismatic, visionary, or committed to reform. That’s a valid emotional factor, too, even if the person doesn’t align entirely with devotional values.

Let’s also acknowledge this: it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to find political candidates outside the devotee community who align perfectly with all spiritual principles. So voters may have to weigh which values the candidate upholds, which ones they oppose, and how important each of those are.

Some Indian-American devotees, for instance, may consider immigration policies a key issue. As many are first- or second-generation immigrants, they may prioritize candidates who support legal immigration and are not antagonistic toward the Indian diaspora. Similarly, a party’s foreign policy toward India might matter. India, after all, is the land of dharma. While modern India may not always uphold spiritual values fully, it remains home to many sacred places. If a political party or candidate is explicitly anti-India, that could influence a devotee’s voting choice.

Here again, nuance is required. Is the candidate against all immigration or just illegal immigration? Every country has limited resources. A country can either have open borders or high social support, but it is difficult to offer both sustainably. So voters must evaluate the practicality and implications of these policies carefully.

In conclusion, while spiritual life gives us values, it also teaches us to become independently thoughtful. That means we don’t just blindly follow others—we learn how to think. We consider:

• What are the values we stand for?
• What are the real-world implications of a candidate’s policies?
• Which values are most important in the current context?

And based on that understanding—and our specific circumstances—we make an informed decision.

So these are some broad guidelines or parameters for how a spiritually minded person might approach voting in an election.