Father Frank Pavone, founder of the national Priests for Life organization is once again weighing in on Alaska’s upcoming midterm elections.

In August Pavone wrote a column for the Watchman in which he urged pro-life and Catholic voters in Alaska to vote for pro-life conservative Kelly Tshibaka in her bid to unseat pro-abortion Sen. Lisa Murkowski.

“Pro-life and Catholic voters in Alaska should be clear about their duty and opportunity to vote for the candidate who will be most likely to succeed in advancing the protection of the most vulnerable among us,” Pavone said at the time. “In the U.S. Senate race, that candidate is Kelly Tshibaka.”

On Oct. 19, Pavone issued another call to Alaskans. This time, he implored Christians to boldly bring their faith into the public square by turning out en masse.

“An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote fail to vote in presidential elections, and an estimated 65 million Christians do not participate in local elections,” Pavone cautioned. “If Christians abandon the public square, we will not bring the influence of our faith into the halls where policies and laws are made and where righteous solutions are needed.”

Below is Fr. Pavones full statement from Oct. 19.

I wanted to take a moment to remind citizens in Alaska that early voting for this year’s midterm elections begins October 24 and ends on November 7.

Alaska is a no excuse absentee voting state. Anyone may vote using the early and in-person absentee voting options. Times and dates may vary depending on the location and/or community. For early voting locations, dates and hours, visit the Early and Absentee In-Person Voting page on the Alaska Division of Elections website.

Early voting is only available at certain absentee voting locations where the Division of Elections can establish a secure connection with the voter registration database system. Early voting is available in Juneau, Homer, Soldotna, Anchorage, Eagle River, Palmer, Wasilla, Fairbanks and Nome at designated locations.

I know that many of you faithful pro-life citizens prefer to vote on Election Day itself – whether because of tradition, or election integrity concerns, or any other reason you have. That’s what I do myself. Please vote on Election Day itself if that is what is comfortable for you. This is not to discourage you from voting on Election Day if that is your preference.

But the option of early voting in your state gives you more opportunity to recruit other voters, remind them to vote, educate them on the candidates, and get them to the polls. I want to encourage you to use that opportunity.

Some people also like to vote early to prevent issues with someone else fraudulently voting in their name and causing problems on Election Day – they have time to address the problem should that happen. And it has happened.

An estimated 25 million Christians who are registered to vote fail to vote in presidential elections, and an estimated 65 million Christians do not participate in local elections. If Christians abandon the public square, we will not bring the influence of our faith into the halls where policies and laws are made and where righteous solutions are needed.

That logistically is a lot of people who might not be able to vote on Election Day for any number of reasons – early voting is an opportunity for more of these people to make it to the polls, even if you personally are more comfortable voting on Election Day (as am I).

Click here to support the Alaska Watchman.