Joshua Bennett
Catholics represent one of the largest and most diverse religious groups in the United States, and their votes are highly sought after by political parties. However, Catholics have not voted as a predictable bloc since the 1960s, and their voting behaviour is influenced by a range of factors beyond just religion. While issues like abortion and LGBTQ rights are important to many Catholic voters, other considerations, such as economic concerns and political identity, also play a significant role in shaping their voting preferences. The Catholic Church's teachings on various issues can influence Catholic voters, but individual interpretations and priorities can vary widely within the Catholic community.
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What You'll Learn
Catholics don't vote as a bloc
Catholics are the largest single religious denomination in America, and they are especially prominent in the large industrial states of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Despite this, Catholics do not vote as a bloc. Since the 1960s, when they solidly backed John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, Catholics' loyalties have been unpredictable and in flux.
A 2016 poll showed Bush and Gore running dead even among white Catholics, at 47% each. This unpredictability has led some to call Catholics the "most maddening electoral group in American politics." While there is a certain convergence of views among Catholics, such as a concern for social justice and a collective dedication to the value of the family, these shared values do not translate into unified voting behavior.
A report by Catholics for a Free Choice (CFFC) further supports this, finding that Catholic voters show increasing independence and volatility in their voting patterns. A large portion of Catholic voters refuse to be firmly tied to either major party, even as their votes have become highly sought after by both Republicans and Democrats. This independence is also reflected in the fact that Catholics are more likely to align with other Americans on certain issues than with the US Catholic bishops and the Vatican. For example, majorities of Catholic voters support the death penalty (80%), legal abortion (66%), and the practice of allowing doctors to assist in the suicide of terminally ill patients (56%).
The voting behavior of Catholics cannot be easily predicted or influenced by political parties, and they do not vote as a monolithic bloc. Instead, their votes are influenced by a range of factors, including economic concerns and political identity, which may take precedence over religious beliefs.
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Religion doesn't determine how Catholics vote
While religion plays a part in American elections, it doesn't seem to determine how Catholic voters cast their ballots. There is no "Catholic vote" in the sense of a bloc that moves predictably towards one party or the other. Catholics' loyalties are unpredictable and in flux, and they have not voted as a unified bloc since the early 1960s when they supported John F. Kennedy, America's first Catholic president.
Catholics are the largest single religious denomination in America, and they are especially prominent in large industrial states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. While they tend to vote for the winning candidate, their votes are not driven solely by their religious beliefs. For instance, in the 2020 election, economic concerns were a significant factor in voters' decisions, and Trump's gains among men of all races and ethnicities also contributed to the outcome.
Catholics' voting patterns are complex and multifaceted. While there is a historical Democratic tendency among Catholics, with white Catholics being more Democratic than comparable white Protestants, this is not always the case. For example, Cuban Americans tend to be predominantly Republican, while Puerto Ricans lean Democratic. Additionally, Mexican Americans in Texas may be more willing to vote Republican compared to Mexican Americans in California, who have become a solid Democratic bloc due to their opposition to a Republican-backed ballot initiative targeting illegal immigrants.
The Catholic Church's stance on issues such as abortion and LGBTQ rights does not always align with the voting choices of Catholics. For instance, in the 2016 election, Trump's stance on abortion and transgender issues did not prevent him from receiving support from Catholic voters. Similarly, Gore's strong support for abortion rights hurt him among churchgoing Catholics who oppose abortion, but it did not solely determine their voting choices.
In conclusion, while religion may be an important influence for some voters, it does not solely dictate how Catholics vote. Catholics' voting decisions are shaped by a range of factors, including political identities, economic concerns, and other social issues that may take precedence over religious teachings.
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Catholics can vote for a candidate who endorses evils
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) states that voting for a candidate who supports intrinsic evils is only permissible for "truly grave moral reasons". It is not to be done to "advance narrow interests or partisan preferences or to ignore a fundamental moral evil". This is called "formal cooperation with evil".
However, in some cases, a Catholic may vote for a candidate who supports intrinsic evils if they have proportionate reasons to do so. This would mean that the candidate is deemed less likely to advance a morally flawed position and more likely to pursue other authentic human goods. This is a rare circumstance, as abortion is considered a grave issue.
Cardinal Ratzinger has said that voting for a candidate who supports abortion and/or euthanasia is considered "remote material cooperation" and can be permitted in the presence of proportionate reasons.
Pope Francis has weighed in on the issue, saying that a Catholic may vote for the "lesser of two evils". He gave the example of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, both of whom he said were "against life". Trump's stance on deporting illegal aliens and turning away migrants goes against the value of life, while Harris' support for abortion is also considered a grave sin.
In summary, while it is generally not permissible for Catholics to vote for a candidate who endorses intrinsic evils, there may be rare cases where a Catholic may do so if they have proportionate reasons and the candidate is considered the lesser of two evils.
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Catholics are the largest religious group in the US
Catholics are one of the largest religious groups in the United States, outnumbering any single Protestant denomination. According to the Vatican's 2021 Statistical Yearbook of the Church, the US has more Catholics than any other country except Brazil, Mexico, and the Philippines.
The Catholic Church in the United States has approximately 71 million members. By comparison, the Southern Baptist Convention has 13.7 million members, the National Baptist Convention has 8.4 million, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has 6.9 million.
Catholics make up a significant proportion of the Christian population in the US, which is the country's most widely professed religion. According to a 2016 Gallup poll, 73.7% of adults identified as Christian, with 23% of those identifying as Catholic. More recent data from 2017 puts the number of American Catholics at 18% of the population.
Despite their numbers, Catholics in the US do not vote as a unified bloc. While there may be a convergence of views among Catholics on certain issues, such as a concern for social justice and the value of family, their voting patterns are unpredictable and have been described as "in flux." For example, in the 2024 presidential election, 58% of Catholic voters supported Donald Trump, an increase from the 50% who voted for him in 2020. However, this shift may be due to a variety of factors beyond religious affiliation, such as the cost of living and economic concerns.
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Catholics' loyalties are unpredictable
Catholics represent one of the largest and most diverse religious groups in the United States, with over one-fifth of Americans identifying as Catholic. However, their voting behaviour is unpredictable and has been described as "maddening". While Catholics share certain values, such as a concern for social justice and the value of family, their loyalties are not unified. This is in contrast to other religious groups, such as Jews and African Americans, who tend to vote along more predictable lines.
Historically, Catholics voted as a bloc in the early 1960s, supporting John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. However, since then, Catholics have split their ballots, especially in presidential elections. This unpredictability is further complicated by the diversity within the Catholic population. For example, Latino Catholics cannot be considered a single bloc, as Cuban Americans tend to be Republican, while Puerto Ricans lean Democratic. Similarly, Mexican Americans in Texas may vote differently from those in California due to specific issues like immigration.
Catholics' voting behaviour is influenced by various factors, including their political and religious identities. Some analysts suggest that political identity has become the "master identity", with religious beliefs taking a back seat. This is exemplified by Vice President-elect JD Vance, who converted to Catholicism after finding alignment with conservative Catholic groups that matched his political leanings. Additionally, men who are uncomfortable with progressive social issues may attribute their beliefs to religion rather than other factors.
The issue of abortion has been a priority for the Catholic Church for decades, but it does not appear to be a determining factor in how Catholics vote. Despite the Church's strong pro-life stance, Catholic voters have supported candidates who hold differing views on abortion, such as Donald Trump. Analysts suggest that other factors, like the cost of living and economic concerns, may play a more significant role in Catholics' voting decisions.
In conclusion, Catholics' loyalties are unpredictable due to the diversity within the group and the complex interplay between their political and religious identities. While they share certain values, their voting behaviour is influenced by a range of factors, making it challenging to predict their choices in elections.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there is no "Catholic vote" in the sense of a bloc that moves predictably toward one party or the other. Catholics haven't voted as a bloc since the early 1960s.
The Catholic vote is unpredictable and in flux. Catholics' loyalties are influenced by a variety of factors, including social justice concerns, family values, and economic considerations.
Religion does not seem to be the primary motivator for Catholic voters. Instead, their political identity often takes precedence, with voters selecting candidates based on their political leanings rather than religious teachings.
The Catholic vote is significant due to the large number of Catholics in the US, who make up one of the largest and most diverse religious groups. However, Catholics are not a homogeneous group, and their votes are split among different parties.
Social issues, such as abortion and LGBTQ rights, play a role in the Catholic vote. While some Catholics prioritize candidates who share their views on these issues, others may vote based on other factors or make concessions if a candidate represents the "lesser of two evils."
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