The approaching midterm elections are pivotal to the national political landscape. Every vote is critical. While much attention is focused nationally, state, regional, and local elections set the stage for higher offices.

• In 2016, Francis Brooks defeated Ashley Hill by one vote in the Vermont Senate Democratic Primary. Brooks later won the general election that fall.
• In 2014, Lindsey McKee  Luther defeated Kent Harrell for the North Carolina District Court by just five votes.
• In 2017, an initial vote count showed the incumbent, Republican David Yancey, ahead by 13 votes in a race for Virginia House of Delegates. Following a recount, Yancey trailed Democratic challenger Shelly Simmonds by one vote out of a total of 23,215 votes. Following court review, the deciding vote was determined by lot with the State Board of Elections. Yancey won, giving Republicans control of the House by a margin of 51-49.

Our voting privileges start at the local level. The leadership of local  communities determines the outcome of legislation impacting our families, places of work, educational institutions, and many other aspects of life. In a recent race for the Chairmanship of the Republican Committee in Frederick County, Virginia, the victor won by 18 votes. The week before the election, the pastor of his church reminded the congregation to take ownership in community leadership by going out to vote. Without being political, the pastor commended the candidate for his biblical values and urged his congregants to vote accordingly. When the final tally came in, the pastor later recounted seeing at least 18 of his congregants in line to vote.

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When Christians understand the difference just one vote can make, we will become more intentional in activating our prayers by voting.