In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, a region known for its picturesque Amish farms and horse-drawn buggies, a striking billboard recently appeared. It featured a large image of a traditional Amish straw hat and urged passersby to “Pray for God’s Mercy for Our Nation.” Sponsored by “Fer Die Amische,” targeting the Amish community in their Pennsylvania German dialect, the billboard underscored a curious phenomenon: political outreach to a group often perceived as detached from mainstream society.
For decades, the Amish have largely remained outside the realm of American electoral politics, their abstention rooted in a religious doctrine of separatism. This separation, mirroring their distinctive dialect and preference for horse-drawn transportation, stems from a theological perspective that prioritizes the spiritual kingdom over earthly affairs. However, despite this prevailing trend of non-participation, a segment of the Amish population does engage in voting. This raises a pertinent question: Why Did The Amish Vote, and what factors motivate this seemingly contradictory behavior within a community known for its separation from the world?
The Amish Tradition of Political Separatism
The primary reason most Amish individuals do not vote lies in their deeply held “two-kingdom” theology. This theological framework draws a sharp distinction between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of the world. For the Amish, earthly governments are seen as inherently flawed and transient, while their focus is firmly fixed on the eternal and spiritual kingdom of God. This perspective fosters a sense of detachment from civic duties like voting, which are considered part of the “worldly” realm they seek to remain separate from.
Historically, this principle of separation has been a cornerstone of Amish identity, helping them maintain their unique way of life and religious beliefs distinct from the broader society. Political involvement, in this view, could compromise their spiritual purity and integration within their close-knit communities. Therefore, abstaining from voting has become an ingrained tradition for many Amish, reflecting their commitment to spiritual priorities over temporal ones.
Factors Influencing Amish Voting
While non-voting remains the norm, several factors contribute to the decision of some Amish to participate in elections. These motivations are often nuanced and reflect the evolving dynamics within Amish communities and their interactions with the outside world.
Local Issues & Concerns
Historically, specific issues have occasionally spurred Amish political engagement. In the mid-20th century, controversies surrounding compulsory schooling policies prompted some Amish to vote in defense of their religious freedom and parental rights in education. Similarly, contemporary concerns about religious liberty, business regulations, and local ordinances can motivate some Amish to cast ballots, particularly when these issues directly impact their way of life or community practices.
Republican Alignment
Political outreach to the Amish, like the Lancaster County billboard, often comes from the Republican party. Republican messaging, emphasizing smaller government, less regulation, and religious freedom, tends to resonate with certain segments of the Amish population. For Amish business owners, who increasingly constitute a larger portion of the community as farmland becomes scarce, the promise of reduced government interference in their enterprises can be particularly appealing. Furthermore, the Republican stance on religious liberty and social issues aligns with the conservative values prevalent in many Amish communities.
Shifting Demographics and Community Changes
The Amish community is not static. In areas like Lancaster County, the traditional agrarian lifestyle is evolving due to land scarcity. Many Amish have transitioned to small businesses, requiring them to navigate regulations and interact more frequently with the broader economy. This shift can lead to a greater awareness of and engagement with political and economic policies, potentially prompting some to consider voting as a means to protect their livelihoods and community interests.
External Appeals and Political Mobilization
Efforts to mobilize Amish voters, while not new, are becoming more visible. Political campaigns, predominantly Republican, employ various strategies, including billboards, newspaper ads, door-to-door canvassing, and community meetings, to encourage Amish voter registration and turnout. These campaigns often frame voting as a way to uphold religious values and protect their way of life against perceived threats from broader societal trends or government policies.
Individual Choice and Diverse Opinions
It is crucial to recognize that the Amish community is not monolithic in its views on voting. As Wayne Wengerd of the Amish Steering Committee noted, “The Amish are just like any other people. Not everyone thinks the same.” Despite the prevailing tradition of non-voting, some Amish individuals hold differing perspectives. Some may believe in a civic duty to vote, viewing it as a way to “stand against evil,” as argued in an ad attributed to an anonymous “Amishman.” This reflects a theological viewpoint closer to mainstream Protestantism, which emphasizes a Christian’s responsibility to both God and country, contrasting with the traditional Amish two-kingdom theology.
The Limited Impact of the Amish Vote
Despite these factors motivating some Amish to vote, it is essential to maintain perspective on the overall impact of the Amish vote. Experts like Steven Nolt from the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies emphasize that the vast majority of Amish still do not vote, and this is unlikely to change dramatically in the near future.
While voter mobilization efforts may lead to an incremental increase in Amish voter turnout, the actual numbers remain relatively small. In Lancaster County, even a significant percentage increase in Amish voting would likely translate to only a few hundred to perhaps a thousand additional votes. In the context of a state like Pennsylvania, which sees millions of votes cast in presidential elections, the Amish vote, while potentially important in very close local races, is unlikely to be a decisive factor in statewide or national elections.
Nevertheless, in closely contested swing states like Pennsylvania, where elections can be decided by narrow margins, every vote counts. Political parties recognize the potential value of even small voting blocs, and the Amish community, concentrated in specific regions, represents one such group that is subject to ongoing political attention and mobilization efforts.
Conclusion
The question of why did the Amish vote reveals a complex interplay of tradition, evolving community dynamics, and targeted political outreach. While the dominant Amish tradition of political separatism, rooted in their two-kingdom theology, keeps most members away from the ballot box, a confluence of factors motivates a minority to participate. These include concerns about religious freedom, alignment with Republican values, changing economic landscapes within Amish communities, and persistent efforts to mobilize Amish voters.
Ultimately, the Amish vote remains a small fraction of the overall electorate, even in areas with significant Amish populations. However, in the intensely competitive landscape of American politics, particularly in swing states, even limited voter segments can attract attention and become targets of political persuasion. The Amish, therefore, represent a unique case study in the dynamics of religious communities and their evolving relationship with the political sphere, where tradition and change constantly negotiate the boundaries of separation and engagement.
