Family Discussion: Election Warm-Up

The following article is designed to help parents dialogue about a current event with their children. It was written at a 7th grade reading level.

READ

Tuesday, six states held primary elections: California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota.

The primaries are an election before an election. This November, every state will hold midterms (elections that happen in the middle of a president’s four-year term). We'll choose members of Congress, and in some states, governors, and more.

In the primaries, voters choose which candidate will represent their party on November 3rd. For example, voters in Iowa chose between two Democrats running for U.S. Senate: Josh Turek and Zach Wahls. Nearly 63% of voters picked Turek. Republican voters chose between Representative Ashley Hinson and Jim Carlin, and 74% voted for Hinson. So, Turek and Hinson will be the two on November’s ballot for Iowa’s new Senator.

If the midterms are the Super Bowl, the primaries are the playoff games that decide who gets to play. Some of them are very high stakes.

California, for example, is electing a new governor—a job that usually turns someone into a national figure. Their current governor, Gavin Newsom, can’t run again. California also has a voting twist: only the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the midterms… and it doesn’t matter which party they’re from. In theory, two Democrats could move on and leave Republicans with no one representing their party.

But California and Iowa are just two pieces of a big puzzle. Dozens of races were held Tuesday. Some of them in battleground states—places where either party has a real shot at winning. The results could help determine whether Democrats or Republicans control Congress. And with votes still being counted, there’s still time for surprises.

RADIATE HOPE

Elections can make people fearful, anxious, and angry. Christians have an opportunity to tell others about the hope of Christ the King. Even the biggest world news doesn’t shake him. Shine Christ's light to everyone you meet this week.

REFLECT

How can I model putting my hope and trust in Christ when discussing this story?

Because our hope is secure no matter the election results, Christians are free to model a different kind of citizenship: one motivated by love of neighbor and faith in our victorious King.

We live as exiles—citizens of a different kingdom, devoted to another King. But our King doesn’t want us to just sit around and wait for Him to rescue us; He calls us to seek the good of our communities: "Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive" (Jeremiah 29:7 CSB).

How can I explain balancing love and truth?

Faithful political engagement is a bit like walking a tightrope. On one side, there's a danger of holding convictions so firmly it becomes impossible to love those who differ. On the other, there's a danger of avoiding offense so thoroughly that all boldness for the truth evaporates.

We fall off the tightrope when we think faithfulness = only thinking rightly or that love = never offending with our convictions. Fear not: Jesus is our guide (Ephesians 4:15). He didn't die for “the correct,” and His love wasn't primarily about keeping the peace but creating peace. It’s a difficult tightrope, but He walks with us.

RESPOND

• Write a letter to a local elected official: (1) thank them for their public service and tell them you’re praying for them, and (2) tell them what you’d like to see them do for the good of your community.

• Memorize Jeremiah 29:7, “Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the LORD on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive” (CSB).

• Pray for elected leaders by name with a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer: “Almighty God, our heavenly Father, send down on those who hold public office especially [say his/her name] the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice; that with steadfast purpose they may faithfully serve in their offices to promote the well-being of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” (page 655)

Credit: Decaf (The Pour Over for Families). "The Election before the Election" June 4, 2026.