How do we select community Leaders?

Making each vote count.

I imagine I'm not the only one who tires of the ongoing political messaging during the election seasons. Did you know that there are different ways to select community leadership? There is one such system that you might like to know about. The Baha’i election system is truly like no other. This system has been in use for nearly a hundred years in local, national and even in world wide elections. Without any campaigning, advertising or self-promotion, the voting occurs by secret ballot in a quiet, thoughtful, and prayerful atmosphere. The voters are asked to be well acquainted with those they will elect, to learn of their capacities and dedication to serving the entire community. Once elected, individuals are responsible to God to for their service. 

Think ye at all times of rendering some service to every member of the human race. ~ Baha’i Faith

The Baha'i election system requires a different level of involvement on the part of the voter. As no campaigning is permitted, we are freed from the non-stop advertising and self promotion of partisan politics. But we really have to pay attention to those we will elect, to what people are doing and saying in the community if we are to make informed choices.

For the present, we participate in the electoral system that we have in this country. But we can each be informed voters. We can seek out candidates who have shown concern for everyone in the community and not just those who are members of the candidate's inner circle. And please get in line and vote. Use your voice to speak up for our entire community, our Human Family. We too have a responsibility to care for our community because we are all related. 

Humanity’s collective life suffers when any one group thinks of its own well-being in isolation from that of its neighbours... ~ Baha'i Faith