From the Front Lines to the Front Desk: Veterans Enlist to Save Elections

WASHINGTON, DC – June 16, 2026 – In a quiet but critical battle for the health of American democracy, a new front has opened—not in a distant land, but in the community centers, school gymnasiums, and church basements that serve as the nation’s polling places. A new partnership announced today aims to deploy one of the country’s most respected forces to this front line: its veterans.

More Perfect, a broad coalition dedicated to democratic renewal, is throwing its weight behind the 'Vet the Vote' campaign, an initiative run by We The Veterans and Military Families. The goal is to address a persistent, nationwide shortage of poll workers by recruiting those who have already sworn an oath to defend the Constitution. The funding will specifically bolster efforts in the key states of Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan, aiming to ensure the 2026 elections are not just secure, but fully staffed by trusted public servants.

An Unseen Crisis at the Polls

For years, election officials have sounded the alarm about a looming crisis. The people who check you in, hand you a ballot, and ensure the process runs smoothly are becoming harder and harder to find. According to the most recent Election Administration and Voting Survey (EAVS), nearly half—48 percent—of all jurisdictions reported having a "very or somewhat difficult time" recruiting enough poll workers for the 2024 general election.

While this figure marks a slight improvement from the 54 percent who reported difficulties in 2022, the underlying challenges remain deeply entrenched. The traditional base of poll workers has long been retirees, but that pool is aging and shrinking. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, forcing many older, dedicated volunteers to step back due to health concerns.

Compounding the issue is the increasingly fraught political environment. A wave of threats and harassment directed at election workers has made the once-mundane civic duty a source of anxiety and fear for many. Furthermore, the expansion of early voting, while increasing accessibility for voters, places a greater strain on staffing, requiring more workers for more days. Local clerks, particularly in rural areas, report being stretched to their limits. The job itself has also grown more complex, often requiring technical proficiency with electronic poll books and ballot-marking devices. It's a perfect storm that threatens the fundamental mechanics of our democracy.

A Continuation of Service

Into this breach steps We The Veterans and Military Families, a nonpartisan organization that sees a natural solution. Their 'Vet the Vote' campaign, which began as a grassroots effort, has already proven remarkably effective. By the end of 2024, the initiative had inspired nearly 160,000 veterans and their family members to sign up to work the polls, representing roughly one in ten election workers nationwide.

The campaign was born from the experience of a retired Marine who described serving as an elections judge as the "most meaningful thing" she had done as a citizen. That sentiment has resonated deeply within the veteran community. For many, it's not a political act, but a logical extension of their service oath—a tangible way to continue protecting the country and its democratic institutions.

"Veterans and their families possess a unique dedication to service," said Ellen Gustafson, Co-founder and Executive Director of We The Veterans. "By mobilizing this trusted population to engage in visible acts of service, including poll working, we activate a powerful virtuous cycle: their involvement enhances public trust, reinforcing the positive perception of veterans and military families, and, consequently, the institutions in which they serve and America as a whole." Their presence is seen as a bulwark against misinformation, a calm and steadying force in a role that has become unexpectedly contentious.

A Strategic Alliance for Key States

The new support from More Perfect represents a strategic intensification of this successful model. Rather than a blanket approach, the funding is targeted at hiring state-level directors in Arizona, Nevada, and Michigan. These states are not chosen at random; each faces unique and acute challenges in election administration.

In Nevada, for example, officials have struggled to staff positions, particularly in populous Clark County, which has a high demand for multilingual poll workers. 'Vet the Vote' has already seen success there, recruiting over 3,000 volunteers in a previous cycle, but the need remains critical. In Michigan, the expansion of early voting has significantly increased the number of worker-hours required to run an election, a challenge the state's clerks are struggling to meet.

More Perfect, an alliance that includes 44 Presidential Centers and over 100 other organizations, is pursuing five foundational "Democracy Goals" ahead of the nation's 250th anniversary. This partnership falls squarely under their goal of ensuring "Trusted Elections and More Representative & Responsive Governance."

"Trusted elections are a cornerstone of our country's democracy," said John Bridgeland, Founder & CEO of More Perfect. "Supporting veterans who not only risked their lives to defend our country but are now helping to secure our elections is a great privilege." By providing the resources to build professional, on-the-ground recruitment infrastructure, the alliance is making a calculated investment in the stability of the electoral process in places where it is under significant strain.

More Than Just Staffing: Rebuilding Trust

The initiative, however, is about more than just filling empty seats. A core component of the partnership involves creating "narrative-driven materials" and "public-facing storytelling." This isn't just a recruitment drive; it's a public confidence campaign. The gap between how our world should work and how it actually does is often widest in the arena of public trust. Elections are a prime example. In a climate of pervasive doubt, the simple, visible act of a respected neighbor—a veteran—managing a polling place can be a powerful antidote.

By amplifying the stories of veterans who choose to serve, the campaign aims to humanize the electoral process and reframe the role of a poll worker as one of honor and civic duty. It's an effort to change the narrative from one of conflict and suspicion to one of community and shared responsibility. The presence of individuals who are broadly seen as nonpartisan, disciplined, and dedicated to the nation can help de-escalate tensions and reassure voters that the process is being administered fairly and competently.

This focus on storytelling and community engagement recognizes a fundamental truth: the machinery of democracy isn't just about laws and logistics; it's powered by people. By enlisting a group of people who already command widespread respect, 'Vet the Vote' and More Perfect are not only addressing a critical labor shortage but are also working to shore up the very foundation of faith on which the entire system rests.