THE RIGHT TO VOTE is a quintessential American value, a solemn trust. For decades the Democratic party led the movement to expand voting rights. Democrats championed the 1965 Voting Rights Act (and its renewal four times). More recently, Democrats have spearheaded efforts to mobilize young people and the disabled and to enfranchise non-English speakers and even convicted felons. Indeed, the Democratic party has always stood firmly on the side of a more inclusive right to vote.

Always, that is, until conservative people of faith stood up and voted like never before.