AN ELECTION INTEGRITY CHECKLISTWHAT THE VETERAN AND MILITARY FAMILIES COMMUNITY CAN DO
This checklist outlines practical, nonpartisan actions veterans and the military families community can take leading up to the election to help strengthen public trust, support safe civic participation, and protect the integrity of the democratic process. The guidance is divided into two sections, offering key actions for individuals and organizations to take in playing a meaningful role in supporting a safe, trusted, and accessible election.
INDIVIDUAL ACTIONS☐ Sign onto or circulate petitions among veterans and military families affirming support for free, fair, and secure elections
☐ File formal complaints through Inspector General offices regarding orders perceived as politicizing the military in connection with an election
☐ Publish an op-ed or open letter on the importance of military non-interference in elections
☐ Participate in community forums with election officials to build mutual understanding about veteran and military families community polling needs and how they relate to polling needs of other community members
☐ Volunteer with a local group to support activities that keep elections safe and secure. Examples include: Project HALO, Party at the Polls, to name two.
☐ Organize veteran-led vigils or public gatherings at symbolic locations to affirm commitment to democratic norms during contested election periods
☐ Sign up to be a poll worker via Vet the Vote
Organizational & Institutional Action☐ Issue public statements from veteran organizations affirming the importance of elections without threats or intimidation and the legitimacy of certified election results
☐ Facilitate dialogue between military leadership and civilian election officials to better cater to the needs of veterans and military families
☐ Bring military and veteran voting access concerns directly to lawmakers, pressing for stronger protections for overseas and deployed voters
☐ Hold press conferences or public statements urging servicemembers to know their rights regarding lawful orders related to election security or civil unrest
☐ Partner with election officials to ensure polling sites on or near military bases are accessible and properly staffed
☐ Build peer-support networks to help military families navigate voting while stationed away from home
☐ Establish rapid-response hotlines for military families and veterans to report voting access issues (e.g., absentee ballot problems for deployed servicemembers)
☐ Create legal aid clinics specifically addressing military and overseas voter rights (e.g., UOCAVA ballot issues)
☐ Withdraw sponsorship or partnership from organizations found to be spreading election disinformation targeting veterans or military communities
☐ Support litigation or amicus briefs defending servicemembers' voting rights or challenging unlawful restrictions on military/overseas votin