Catholic Voter Guide
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The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) releases a document before each presidential election to help Catholics prepare to vote. The document (Link: "Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship") lists 47 issues that Catholics should consider when they vote. 

Below you will find a chart with all 47 issues and the current political beliefs of the two major presidential candidates.

The following guide will be used:
  • Aligns: The view of this candidate aligns with Church teaching
  • Does Not Align: The view of this candidate does not align with Church teaching
  • Inconclusive: There is evidence for both answers, or there is not enough evidence
  • Changed: The view of this candidate has changed

Please Note:
  • The "Links" include direct quotes from the candidates or their administration. We do not support the political biases of these websites. 
  • This guide is not endorsed by or formally affiliated with the USCCB.
  • This guide is only a starting point for your discernment. The claims of "Aligns," "Does not Align," and "inconclusive" are opinions based on primary sources.

Here Are the Issues:

The Dignity of the Human Person

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Abortion
Does not Align
(Changed)
Link 1 / Link 2
​​Aligns
(Changed)

Link 1 / Link 2
Euthanasia
Aligns
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / ​Link 2
Cloning & Destruction of Human Embryos for Research
Does not Align
​
Link 1
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2

Promoting Peace

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Avoid War and Promote Peace
Aligns
(Changed)

Link 1 / Link 2
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Reject the use of Torture
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Against the Preventative Use of Military Force
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
​
Link 1
Work to Reverse the Spread of Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Weapons
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Against the Direct and Intentional Targeting of Noncombatants in War or Terrorist Attacks
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
​Promotes the Reallocation of Resources from Armed Conflict to the Urgent Needs of the Poor
Aligns
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Marriage & Family Life

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Supporting a definition of marriage that is defined, recognized, and protected as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman 
Does not Align
(Changed)
​
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Valuing, Protecting, and Nurturing Children
Aligns
​
Link 1
​Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Just Wages
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Religious Freedom

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Promotion of Religious Liberty
Inconclusive
​Link 1 / Link 2 / Link 3
Aligns
​
Link 1

Preferential Option for the Poor & Economic Justice

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Jobs for all who can work (Federal Jobs Guarantee)
Does not Align
​
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1
Removing Barriers to Equal Pay & Unemployment for Women
​Aligns
​
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Right of Workers to Choose whether to Organize, Join a Union, and Bargain Collectively
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
​
Link 1
Welfare Policy and the Reduction of Poverty
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
Link 1
Improving the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credits
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Recognition and Support to Faith Based Groups
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
​Aligns
Link 1
Social Security
Aligns
​(Changed)

Link 1 / Link 2
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Renewed Commitment to Affordable Housing
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Aligns
Link 1
Agriculture Policy and Food Security for all to Dispel Hunger
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
​Does not Align
Link 1

Health Care

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Affordable and Accessible Health Care
Aligns
​
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Strengthen Medicare & Medicaid
​Aligns
Link 1
​Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2

Migration

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Broad and Fair Legalization Program with a Path to Citizenship
Aligns
​
Link 1
​Does not Align
Link 1
Family Reunification Policies
Aligns
Link 1
​Does not Align
​
Link 1
Access to legal Protections, which include Due Process Procedures
Aligns
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Refuge for those fleeing persecution and violence (Asylum)
Aligns
​Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1
Policies to address the root causes of migration
Aligns
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2

Catholic Education

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Quality Education
​Aligns
​
Link 1
Aligns
​
Link 1
Just Salaries & Benefits for Teachers
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Inconclusive
​
Link 1

Promoting Justice & Countering Violence

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Reforming the Broken Criminal Justice System (Remedial rather than punitive)
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
​Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Supporting Reasonable Restrictions on Access to Assault Weapons and Handguns
Aligns
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Opposing the use of the Death Penalty
Aligns
Link 1
​Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Combat Unjust Discrimination

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Religion
Aligns
Link 1
​Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Combat Sexism
Aligns
​
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Disabling Condition
Aligns
​
Link 1
​Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Age (Ageism)
Inconclusive
​
No Sources
Inconclusive
​
Link 1
Combat Racism
Aligns
​
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Combat any Unjust Discrimination Based on Ethnicity
Aligns
​
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Care for Our Common Home

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Seriously Address Global Climate Change
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
​Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Development of Alternative, Renewable, and Clean-Energy sources
Aligns
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Communications, Media, and Culture

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Promoting responsible regulation of electronic media that respects freedom of speech yet addresses low standards or offensive materials (pornographic)
​Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2

Global Solidarity

The Issues
Biden
Trump
Alleviation of Global Poverty through increased development aid
Aligns
Link 1
Inconclusive
Link 1 / Link 2
Equitable Trade Policies
Aligns
Link 1 / Link 2
​Does not Align
​Link 1
Political and Financial support to the United Nations Programs and Reforms
Aligns
Link 1
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Actively pursue comprehensive negotiations between Israel and Palestine that ensures security for Israel and a viable state for Palestinians.
​Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2
Does not Align
Link 1 / Link 2

Biden's Total:
Aligns: 38
Does Not Align: 7
​Inconclusive: 2
Trump's Total:
Aligns: 11
Does Not Align: 20
Inconclusive: 16
Is Each Issue Weighted the Same?
​Click Here to Read what the Bishops Say

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  • The Issues
  • Resources
    • Weighing the Issues
    • The Pro-Life Question
    • Abortion & Poverty
    • Catholic Definitions
  • About Us