The Amish people are well-known for their horse-drawn buggies, simple clothes and hard-working, agrarian lifestyle. What they aren’t known for is voting. But that could all change in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election.

While in previous years, voter turn-out for the Amish has hovered at 10-15%, those statistics could significantly increase, especially in battleground states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Wisconsin. Why the sudden change? As one Amish man puts it, when you see the Amish getting involved in voting, it means the culture has pushed so far left that they must become engaged.

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Historically, the Amish keep to themselves and stay far away from secular influences. While they aren’t prohibited from voting in presidential elections, they tend to stay out of the political sphere, which they view as part of the world’s system.

The Liberal Left Threatens the Amish Way of Life

Nowadays it seems the Amish aren’t able to fully separate themselves from the world. The liberal influences and ideas that used to only dominate secular society are knocking loudly at their doors. Their farms, businesses, and livelihoods are being threatened by a radical agenda they cannot ignore. Many of the Amish worry that their days of living in independent, free communities could be numbered if they don’t get involved in the election process.

Perhaps the best place to see this phenomenon is in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, home to the oldest and largest Amish community in the United States. Their population has doubled in size over the past 20 years and now boasts of more than 30,000 people. In places like Lancaster, where family is everything, there is a great desire to live conservatively, but the government’s liberal policies are making this very difficult.

Many of the Amish Support Donald Trump

Nick Johnson, host of Unboxing America, recently traveled to Lancaster County to interview members of the Amish community. This was a challenging feat as the Amish rarely speak on camera, or participate in public interviews. Nonetheless, Johnson found more than a handful of people willing to voice their opinions about the 2024 election and the state of the nation.

Those willing to speak were candid in their statements and voiced support for President Trump. Two young Amish women said they were fans because “he is a businessperson and we are too.” They stressed the need for less regulations. “We need the USDA to stay out of our business and we need better people to make laws.” Both women disliked Kamala Harris’ abortion policies, as well as the higher taxes and inflation the nation has endured since the Biden Administration took office. Simply put, one Amish woman remarked, “We can’t make less money and pay more.”

Several Amish men stated they support Trump because he implements good, common-sense policies, whereas the liberals are all about restrictions and rules. Adding some background, one man explained, “The Amish historically are deeply rooted in their ancestry. The government (the state) killed their people in the 1500’s in Europe. When they immigrated to America, they brought with them this distrust of the state. That’s part of the resistance to getting involved in civics, like elections.” He pointed out that the Amish are a freedom-loving, conservative people who desire a limited government. Their needs are simple, but crucial to their way of life. They include growing their own food and selling it, meeting together in communities and going to church, as well as raising their own families and schooling them. But most importantly, the Amish want to pass on their values to their children.

Over the last few years, the Amish have witnessed everything from Covid restrictions and vaccine mandates to the LGBTQ agenda being thrust upon their businesses. Farming, which is the cornerstone of the Amish community, has become a difficult profession, as the government adds one regulation after another.

One Amish farmer spoke off camera and said that he was excited about Trump’s team, which includes J.D. Vance and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., because they understand the importance of farming and food freedom. He lamented that “farmers are going out-of-business like flies” because of burdensome regulations. He added that abortion is “not what God intended,” and the Amish want to keep the religious freedoms they have so they can serve God.

Kore Fisher, an Amish resident of Lancaster County, was perhaps the most outspoken in his views about the upcoming election. He says the Amish are pro-life and pro-freedom, both of which are conservative values. He believes Trump is a great business leader who has a record of good policies with substance. In contrast, the “liberal values are absolutely crazy.” Fisher is very concerned about the economy and does not believe the “empty promises” of Kamala Harris. “We’ve had four years of disaster,” he declares.

Who is Helping Register Amish Voters?

When it comes to mobilizing the Amish vote, there are several strategies that have been part of the ongoing effort. Early Vote Action is a group committed to helping Amish voters register so they can either vote early, vote through absentee ballots, vote by mail, or show up at the polls on Election Day. Volunteers have traveled to Amish country, where they can speak directly with residents and explain the process.

Executive Director of Early Vote Action, Scott Presler, asserts that, “Pennsylvania was decided by 80,000 votes” in the 2020 presidential election, noting, “there are 90,000 Amish in Pennsylvania.” He believes that if President Trump connects with the Amish, “this group could literally save America.” One of Presler’s most popular posts on X features a picture of an Amish woman carrying a Trump/Vance campaign sign.

While Pennsylvania is an important battleground state, Presler maintains that Wisconsin is another swing state that could be affected by the Amish vote. “There are 20,000 Amish in Wisconsin and Joe Biden won Wisconsin by 20,000 votes.”

The Amish PAC Plain Voter Project has also been working hard to garner the Amish vote. Their website says, “When Amish vote, they vote for individual rights, religious rights and less government regulation on their farms and businesses. The objective of Amish PAC’s Plain Voter Project is to drive up Amish voter registration and turnout.” Amish PAC uses old-fashioned newspaper ads and billboards throughout rural Pennsylvania and Ohio Amish country. “We also make a special hotline available to potential Amish voters who are interested in receiving more information about voting and requesting a registration form. It’s common for an Amish man to call and request registration forms for his wife and entire family.”

Ryan Sexton of Early Vote Action says the enthusiasm for President Trump is through the roof and he hopes the Amish will show up in droves on Election Day if they don’t vote ahead of time by mail. Each day volunteers are registering people who have never voted before, and in Pennsylvania specifically, new registrations have increased significantly.

When the Amish register to vote, more than 90% in every location are registered as Republicans. If large numbers of Amish citizens cast a vote for Election Day, it’s very possible they could have a real impact the 2024 presidential race.

Right now, our nation stands at a crossroads. Like the Amish, we are all concerned about the future. We want to live in a nation where we can worship freely, thrive economically, and raise our children with the right values. This is why we should pray that the Amish turn out in droves for the election.

How Do We Pray

1. Pray that the Amish voters will not be afraid to cast their ballots. Pray they will act boldly and courageously as they mail in their ballots or show up at the local precincts.
2. Pray that the Amish vote will make a difference in the election. Pray Amish voters will see and understand how their involvement in the election process is important to America.
3. Pray for blessings and protection over the Amish communities in America.

Proverbs 29:2 says, When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan. Let’s pray that righteousness will increase in our nation’s leaders and wickedness will be weeded out.

Lord Jesus, thank you for the Amish people. We pray they will vote in large numbers in the 2024 election and that their votes will reflect their biblical values.

How are you praying about the Amish vote? Please post your prayers in the comments below.

Angela Rodriguez is an author, blogger and former teacher who studies the historical and biblical connections between Israel and the United States. You can visit her blogs at 67owls.com and 100trumpets.com. She is also the author of Psalm 91: Under the Wings of Jesus, and her first children’s book, Hallelujah’s Great Ride, was released in September 2023. Photo by Randy Fath on Unsplash.