Political Neutrality: Are Mormons a voting bloc?

Are Mormons told to vote for a specific candidate?

Some claim Mormons are blind followers. They say, "Mormons are like sheep who obey their leaders without thinking or questioning." When it comes to politics, Mormon voters firmly follow the direction of their ecclesiastical leaders. They do not vote as a bloc and the Mormon Church maintains one of the strictest separations between politics and influencing member's votes. Mormons are free to vote for any platform they think best represents their personal views.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does not:

• Direct its members as to which candidate or party for which they should vote
• Allow its church buildings, membership lists or other resources to be used for partisan political purposes (a strict rule)
• Endorse, promote or oppose political parties, candidates or platforms
• Attempt to direct or dictate to a government leader

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints does:

• Encourage members to be responsible citizens, acquainted with issues and participating in voting
• Expect members to be civil and informed about partisan political matters
• Request that candidates do not imply their candidacy or platform is endorsed by the Church
• Reserve the right to speak in a nonpartisan way about issues of moral consequence

And Mormon public officials fervently represent their constituency, not the Church:

Elected officials who are Latter-day Saints make their own decisions and may not necessarily be in agreement with one another or even with a publicly stated Church position. While the Church may communicate its views to them, as it may to any other elected official, it recognizes that these officials still must make their own choices based on their best judgment and with consideration of the constituencies whom they were elected to represent.
Source

One of Mormonism's Twelve Apostles explains, Mr. Ballard:

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