Dear Belle -
I enjoy reading your blog. As I have come to understand voting, one is being asked: "Do you want A or B?" (or sometimes "or C or D or E..." etc.)
What if the answer is "none of the above"? Because I'm not being asked (or maybe I am) "which do you prefer" or "which do you dislike the least?"
And that's what it has come down to. The only way I know to vote "None of these choices is acceptable" is to abstain.
The only effective "vote" is the one cast in the prayer closet.
You might ask, "But what about votes for bond issues and the like?" You might think that these are clear yes-or-no choices, but I deny the "authority" of the government to even ask the question. To vote either way is to tacitly acknowledge their legitimate authority in tightening the noose of debt around ourselves and our children.
It may be that "the powers that be are ordained by God" but it is also manifestly true that the powers that be, at least here in the U.S. are in rebellion against God. And I can no longer implicitly or explicitly acknowledge, support, or participate in their dastardly deeds, at least not knowingly and willingly.
Under Stalin, voter participation in the elections was near 100%. Our last "Presidential election" was between a Marxist sodomite and a Mormon cult leader. Neither earned my vote.
In conclusion, I don't believe any Christian has a "duty" to vote. We have some duties, to be sure, but voting is not among them.
Very best,
Steve