2014 Candidate Questionnaire Project: Let your conscience be your guide

Upcoming Election Dates

Primary Election – August 26   

• Early voting begins – August 16
  (*to vote in this Primary Election, voters had to be registered by July 28.)

General Election – November 4

• Early voting begins – October 25
• Voter registration deadline – October 6

Each election cycle, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops conducts the Candidate Questionnaire Project (CQP) to assist Catholics and the broader community with the obligation to become informed voters. Knowing where the candidates stand on issues concerning human life and dignity and the advancement of the common good is essential to responsible faithful citizenship. Catholic faithful are called to political engagement shaped by the moral convictions of well-formed consciences and focused on the dignity of every human being, the pursuit of the common good, and the protection of the weak and the vulnerable.

To help parishioners become informed on where candidates stand on key issues, the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops has polled those running for U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature, and Florida Governor. Each election cycle, the conference outlines questions of concern to the Catholic Church that will be discussed among elected officials. This year, both the federal and the state legislature questionnaires include eight different questions.

Responses from the candidates are posted online. The page also contains a link to the questionnaires themselves.

Voter Registration Information

To find out how to register to vote or to find your district, please contact your county’s supervisor of elections office. To be eligible to vote in a Florida election, voters must be registered by the state at least 29 days before an election. The deadline to register to vote for the August 26 Primary Election is July 26. The deadline to register to vote in the November General Election is October 6.

You may also visit the state’s voter registration web page.

The Offices for the County Supervisor of Elections:
Palm Beach County
Martin County
St. Lucie County
Indian River County

Not certain which county you live? You can use the city and county locator found on the state’s website to find it.

Election & Political Activities Guide

Approved by the bishops of Florida, this guide for pastors and parishes is intended to encourage Catholic clergy and laity to facilitate the involvement of their faith communities in appropriate election related activities. These activities are designed to increase parishioner interest in the policy issues that will characterize election year debates, to focus their attention on candidate positions, and encourage them to exercise their right to vote.

Click on one of the links below to view or print the Election & Political Activities Guide in English or en español.

• Read the guide online in English or en Español
• Print the guide in booklet format in English or en Español

Other Helpful Links:

• USCCB: Political Activity Guidelines for Catholic Organizations (View website) 

• Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship produced by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
  This is a call to political responsibility from the Catholic Bishops of the United States with Introductory Note. (View guide)

• USCCB: Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship (View website)