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Does One Vote Really Count? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Debbie Wuthnow (Part 1)

Debbie Wuthnow joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss the many ways just one vote can make a difference. Debbie is the president of iVoterGuide, an organization that has equipped and educated millions of voters. In this episode, Part 1 of a two-part interview, Debbie shares stories of elections that were determined by a slim margin, and explains why votes are especially impactful in primary and local elections. She also provides practical tips and resources for finding information about your local elections and candidates.

The Power of One Vote

A national poll released by the Institute of Politics at Harvard Kennedy School showed a few months ago that young Americans are less likely to vote in the upcoming presidential election (November 2024) than they were in 2020. Many may feel like it’s pointless to vote.

Debbie told Know Why that every vote truly does matter, even in presidential elections. “Nationwide, 60,000 votes in a few key counties swung the presidential election in 2020,” she said.


“Your vote really does have power.”

Debbie Wuthnow

But in primary elections and local elections, one vote has even more impact. One in 20 registered voters participates in primary elections, Debbie said. That means your vote goes a long way in determining which candidates will ultimately face off. In local elections, including for offices like school board members and county judges, “average turnout is only 6% of registered voters,” she told Know Why.

How to Research Candidates

To find out when elections are in your area and who’s on the ballot, Debbie says to search online for your county name and “sample ballot.” You can also contact your county election office.

To begin researching candidates, one place to start is iVoterGuide.com. If iVoterGuide doesn’t have information on a particular candidate you’re looking for, you can also search candidates’ names online and on social media platforms. Debbie recommends reading what they write and seeing what events they attend to judge if their values align with yours.

Debbie also recommends following the money. Go to FEC.gov and search any federal candidate’s name to see campaign finance records, which must remain public by law. State and local campaign financial information must remain public. Google your state name and “campaign finance reporting” to find information. For financial information on local candidates, Debbie recommends starting with your county election office. Read more about researching candidates by clicking on the resources below.

Be sure to listen next week for Part 2 of Know Why’s interview with Debbie Wuthnow!

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How Can I Keep Faith Above Partisanship? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Chris Butler

Many people abandon faith values upon entering the political sphere. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Chris Butler, Executive Leader at the AND Campaign and Lead Pastor at Chicago Embassy Church Network, joined Know Why to discuss how Christians can engage in politics without making their party their identity. Listen to hear Chris’s practical tips for faithful, strategic political engagement—including a test to see whether you’ve been “brainwashed” by your party.

From Church to Politics

“So many people walk into politics out of the church,” Chris told Know Why. That’s why the AND Campaign was founded. “Pretty soon people who come out of the church into politics don’t look very much like the church. They just look like the politics,” he added.

“Step by step, working together, we really can make a real difference in the tone and tenor of our politics.”

Chris Butler

It’s possible to engage in politics and even participate in a particular party. Chris said the key is being partisan at the level of your participation, not your identity.

“It is so important for believers to find their indentity in Christ, not in a political party or an ideological affiliation,” he said.

Prepare for the Moment

To help Christians keep their identity in Christ this election year, the AND Campaign launched the Civic Revival Initiative. The initiative offers resources and action items for those who want to engage faithfully and effectively in politics in 2024. One of the exercises the initiative encourages includes listing 10 things your own political “side” is getting wrong.

“If you can’t do that, it’s not because your side is perfect,” Chris told Know Why. “It’s probably because you’ve gone a little bit too deep into it and begun to be a little bit brainwashed.”

Other aspects of the Civic Revival Initiative help Christians prepare their hearts for the political friction and disagreements sure to happen during an election year. It is possible to maintain civility and retain relationships with people who think differently than you, but “we don’t perform well in the moment when we haven’t prepared for the moment,” Chris said.

Ultimately, he encourages young adults to get involved where they can, using their vote “strategically” but also engaging beyond the voting booth.

“Step by step, working together, we really can make a real difference in the tone and tenor of our politics,” Chris said.

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How Can I Become An Informed Voter (Part 2)? Know About Political Engagement

Interview With Lisa Hendrickson

Primaries, propositions, and partisanship, oh my! Does political jargon make your head spin? In Part 2 of her interview with Know Why, campaign manager Lisa Hendrickson explains primaries, offers tips on staying engaged in between election cycles, and discusses the importance of finding common ground with your political opponents.

Inform Yourself

Lisa strongly encourages people to become more politically active. During election season, this includes voting in primary elections. Many people misunderstand primaries, or prefer to only vote in general elections, Lisa told Know Why. In her opinion, not participating in primaries is equivalent to letting someone else make important decisions for you.

She also encourages young adults to dedicate the time and energy to researching candidates for themselves to become truly informed. Even though it’s time-consuming, it’s worth it.


“It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference.”

Lisa Hendrickson

“You know more about the Kardashians or Taylor Swift, but will take no time to make sure you have freedom the next election cycle,” she said of people who don’t take the time to research candidates and issues.

Stay Engaged

While becoming an informed voter is arguably a first step to becoming politically engaged, Lisa told Know Why that staying active in between election cycles is just as important. “It’s the day-to-day, moment by moment staying involved that makes a difference,” she said. “It’s not just showing up in an election year, then going home.”

While Lisa doesn’t like the word “compromise,” she does believe it’s crucial to have civil conversations with political opponents in order to find common ground and make a difference in those areas. That can’t happen if opponents aren’t willing to talk.

“You need to sit at a table long enough with someone to find out what you can agree on,” she said.

Listen to Part 1 of Lisa’s interview with Know Why here.

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Know About Political Engagement: How Can I Become an Informed Voter?

Interview with Lisa Hendrickson (Part 1)

Feel confident next time you head to the polls! To kick off our new series, Know About Political Engagement, Lisa Hendrickson joins the Know Why Podcast with tips on becoming an informed voter. Drawing from her years of experience managing campaigns and working in various political roles, Lisa encourages listeners to own their vote and know why it counts. 

Own Your Vote

Lisa’s interest in political engagement took root when she was young. In grade school when she would complain that something was unjust, her mother would ask, what are you going to do about it? Today, Lisa believes in taking responsibility for one’s own freedom by staying politically active.

“If you’re not involved in politics, in my opinion, it will control you,” she told Know Why.

The first way to get involved is to vote. But for first-time or inexperienced voters, heading to the polls can be overwhelming—especially because there are no one-size-fits-all instructions. Details on how, when, and where to vote can vary between states, counties, and even precincts. Lisa offers tips on finding the relevant information for your area. She and Liberty also discuss tips for staying aware of important local elections.


“Do you care enough to make sure that you own your vote?”

Lisa Hendrickson

Most of all, Lisa encourages Know Why listeners to do the hard and time-consuming work of researching candidates and issues and truly owning their vote. Don’t just vote for someone because a celebrity or politician you like endorsed them, she says.

“I’m ok with people voting a different way than me as long as you’re ok to own it,” she said.

Check back next week for Part 2 of Lisa’s interview with Know Why.

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