More than 163,000 veterans and military family members are set to serve as poll workers for the upcoming November election, marking a significant increase from the 63,500 who participated in the 2022 midterms, according to the Vet the Vote coalition. This coalition, comprising 43 advocacy organizations, aims to bolster the election workforce with veterans and military families to support Election Day operations.
The U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) notes that poll workers are tasked with essential duties, including setting up polling stations, verifying voter registrations and assisting voters with ballot procedures. Veterans and military families are viewed as particularly well-suited for these responsibilities due to their familiarity with following rules and protocols.
With approximately 132,000 polling stations expected to be operational on Election Day, the EAC estimates that nearly 1 million poll workers will be needed nationwide to ensure a smooth voting process.
Research from the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement suggests that involving veterans in election roles may increase public confidence and alleviate concerns about polling station security.
According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, U.S. registered voters generally express trust in poll workers, with 9 in 10 respondents indicating at least some confidence that poll workers in their communities will perform their duties effectively.