How do Amish people vote?

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

For that matter, do they vote?

I was thinking about this last night.  Given their strict religious beliefs, I'd imagine heavily Republican.  I also considered how the fact that they don't use phones might throw off telephone polls in a certain way, but they're probably too small a group to make have of an impact on elections.

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

I'm pretty sure Plain People as a general rule don't vote.

[Joe Republic]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5613947/ns/politics/t/gop-courts-amish-votes-swing-states/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A35064-2004Dec29?language=printer

http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/516404.html

[nclib]

They appear to be conservative, except pacifist. Such counties (esp. Lancaster, PA) had strong swings towards Obama.

[Snowstalker Mk. II]

Very Republican, speaking as a Lancastrian. The D swing in 2008 was due to a combination of Mennonites being significantly less R and an influx of Hispanics. In 2012 I expect it to partially trend back, maybe about 58-41 for Romney.

[TJ in Oregon]

I'm not sure what the breakdown between Amish and Mennonite voters is, but Ohio's Amish areas, the largest of which is in eastern Holmes County are extremely Republican. McCain was ~85% in most of the precincts in the heart of Amish Country. The places with smaller Amish communities such as southeastern Geauga County and northern Jefferson County also seem to be more Republican than surrounding areas.

[morgieb]

Very conservative I'd imagine, but....

1. They are pacifists.
2. They are very collectivist rather than individualist.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Okay- so to sum them up, they're probably extremely pacifistic, but probably vote on social issues more than anything else. (I find how they voted overwhelmingly for Bush kind of surprising, but then again, Kerry wasn't exactly Mr. Pacifist, either.)

I'm not sure, however, how they'd feel about gun control or fiscal issues.  Their independent nature might reflect on their attitudes about those things, but I don't think many of them would object to welfare programs.

[Indy Texas]

I'm not sure, however, how they'd feel about gun control or fiscal issues.  Their independent nature might reflect on their attitudes about those things, but I don't think many of them would object to welfare programs.

Considering they don't pay federal taxes or receive any kind of federal benefits, I'd imagine they're pretty indifferent.

[SPC]

Definitely not with electronic voting machines.

[ottermax]

I thought Amish people are Mennonites, and isn't one of the fundamental beliefs of their church that they abstain from participation in government?

Maybe I'm confusing them with Jehovah's Witness, but I'm not entirely sure.

[Cliff Racer]

They appear to be conservative, except pacifist. Such counties (esp. Lancaster, PA) had strong swings towards Obama.

Over half a million people live in Lancaster County, a large majority of whom are not Amish. All of the south central PA counties (except Adams and Perry, I think) were in the top ten among counties which swung Democratic in 2010. Anyways, Amish people do care about politics and voting, and their state (and national I assume) representatives work hard to keep them pleased, which is difficult since they need special exceptions to a lot of laws (the most famous of which is social security.) When I worked in the capitol I'd see people whom I assumed were Amish due to their dress occasionally. Outside of the city of Lancaster most (all?) of the legislators from LC are Republicans, so I assume you have your answer there.

[Lincoln Republican]

Given Obama's gay remarks I would think they would be going overwhelmingly for Romney.

[MyRescueKittehRocks]

I'd say most folks descended from the Plain People (which I am one) will likely vote GOP. Obama has not been too friendly towards Amish economic rights or respectful of moral beliefs (traditional marriage, abortion, continuance of unjust wars) The Amish areas in Indiana are the most GOP areas in the state

[World politics is up Schmitt creek]

I'm actually very surprised that significant numbers of Plain People vote.

[morgieb]

I'm actually very surprised that significant numbers of Plain People vote.

The better question is, can they vote? Due to voter ID laws etc.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I thought Amish people are Mennonites, and isn't one of the fundamental beliefs of their church that they abstain from participation in government?

Maybe I'm confusing them with Jehovah's Witness, but I'm not entirely sure.

I know here are some differences between Amish and Mennonites, although I can't think of any off hand.  I also know that Jehovah's Witneses don't vote, sing the national anthem, serve in the military, or salute the flag. 

[J. J.]

I thought Amish people are Mennonites, and isn't one of the fundamental beliefs of their church that they abstain from participation in government?

Maybe I'm confusing them with Jehovah's Witness, but I'm not entirely sure.

I know here are some differences between Amish and Mennonites, although I can't think of any off hand.  I also know that Jehovah's Witneses don't vote, sing the national anthem, serve in the military, or salute the flag. 

The major difference is the use of technology.

There was a story back in the 1980's about a GOP committeeman representing four precincts in Lancaster County, PA.  He was said to be "Ayatollah" of those precincts. 

Heavily Republican

[Јas]

What do the Amish think of a Mormon presidential candidate?, Lexington blog, The Economist

Anecdotal, but interesting.