Recruiting veterans and military family members to serve as poll workers significantly boost public confidence in the election process.
That’s according to a new study conducted by the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland, in collaboration with We the Veterans and Military Families.
The research shows that the knowledge that election officials are recruiting veterans and military families generates positive perceptions.
The survey, fielded from August 29 to Sept. 9, 2024, with a national sample of 1,263 U.S. citizens drawn to represent voting-age citizens across the U.S, highlights that recruiting members of the veteran and military family community leads to increased confidence in vote counting, reduced concerns about election-related violence, and greater belief in the fairness of the electoral process.
"This study confirms our hypothesis that veterans and military families - who have already demonstrated their unwavering commitment to our country - serving as poll workers help to strengthen public confidence in elections,” said Co-Founder of We the Veterans and Military Families and University of Maryland alum Ben Keiser. “We encourage election officials nationwide to actively recruit veterans and military family members to be part of this essential civic duty."
In 2022, more than 63,500 veterans and military family members were recruited by Vet the Vote to serve as poll workers. To date, Vet the Vote has recruited over 162,000 veterans and military family members out of the approximately 1 million poll workers America needs to run its elections in November.
“Election jobs can give space for a new veteran to transition back into civilian life, while at the same time help integrate a veteran and their family into a community through civil service,” said Marine veteran and CDCE Research Fellow Gregory Isaiah Espinoza. “ Some veterans go back to their hometowns while others don't, but in either case, it can be difficult for veterans and their family members to settle into a community after being accustomed to feeling rather transient. It might be beneficial if election officials could work with local military commands to promote election work as a viable and simple option for those soon to exit military service."
The study shows that individuals informed about veterans and military families being recruited for election roles were seven percent more likely to express confidence that their votes would be counted accurately. Among those who questioned the legitimacy of President Joe Biden’s election, confidence rose by 15 percent when they learned of VMF recruitment efforts.
"The findings of this study are timely and crucial for the 2024 elections,” said University of Maryland Professor and Director of the CDCE Michael J. Hammer. “That sizable portions of the public lack confidence in our elections is a serious problem. Our study provides powerful evidence that recruiting veterans and military family members to work at polling places not only strengthens public trust in the process but also addresses concerns about potential threats to election security and violence at the polls."
The public also felt that elections would be more secure and polling places safer with veterans and military families involved, according to the study.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.