Baha'i teachings prohibit Baha'is from engaging in partisan politics because partisanship is inherently divisive in nature, pitting groups of people against one another in struggle. Therefore, Baha'is may not join political parties, campaign for candidates in elections or participate in other forms of partisan activity.

The Baha'i writings encourage members of the Faith to vote in any political election as long as the ballot is secret and provided that voters are not required to identify themselves with a political party. Baha'is also must bear in mind that they are voting on the merits of the individual rather than because the candidate belongs to a particular party.

Not being involved in partisan politics does not mean that Baha'is are unconcerned about important issues of the day. As Baha'u'llah wrote: "Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and center your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements." Baha'is are therefore very interested in the key issues of our time: eliminating racism and promoting the equality of men and women, economic justice, moral education and peace among nations.

The Baha'i teachings center on the principle of the oneness of mankind and emphasize humanity's need for unity and spiritual awakening. For example, Baha'u'llah wrote: "The well-being of mankind, its peace and security, are unattainable unless and until its unity is firmly established." Whenever engaging in any issue, the Baha'i teachings encourage taking an approach that is unifying rather than divisive in nature. Therefore, the Baha'i Faith emphasizes helping people, communities and nations to improve their behavior through education, good deeds and the process of Baha'i consultation to solve problems.

While many of the teachings of the Baha'i Faith have political implications - promoting international peace or achieving economic justice in society, for instance - the Baha'i approach to all social issues is to promote unifying solutions instead of ones that are politically or socially divisive in nature.

From April 23 to April 26, 171 Baha'i delegates in this country will gather at the Baha'i House of Worship for the North American Continent in Wilmette, Ill., to elect members to the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States.

In the University of Washington's The Daily, Wade Caves, a Baha'i, explains why Baha'is vote in general elections, but keep their noses out of politics.

Having witnessed the Baha'i democratic process in action, Jeremy Lambshead now has a different notion from four years ago of what might be possible in our democracy. He explores the topic on the NewsweekWashington Post  "On Faith" blog site.

Chicago Public Radio's Eight Forty-Eight program featured a story today on the unique Bahá'í election process, through which the Faith's national governing body is elected each year without nominations, campaigning or electioneering.

Baha’is, like other U.S. citizens, will cast their vote in the upcoming general election, but they won’t be campaigning or promoting particular candidates for office.

What if they held an election without candidates? Without the requisite hand-shaking and baby-kissing, debates or campaign promises. Without even a personal discussion of whom to vote for.

Tiffany Walters felt the thrill of voting in her first government election in 1995. But it didn't compare to the thrill of voting on April 28 for the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of the United States, which governs in lieu of clergy.