Legislative: Get Out the Vote!

GET OUT THE VOTE!

This is an exciting and very important election year! We have the opportunity to elect/re-elect Congressional Legislators to represent us and our veterans. There are 435 House seats, 34 Senate seats and the Office of the President up for election on November 3, 2020.

Voting is a special right that we have living in this free country. A right that our forefathers fought and sometime died to acquire, and all those heroes who followed, sacrificed to protect and preserve. Don’t forget to exercise your right to vote on Election Day and encourage others to do the same.

Let your voices be heard! Numbers matter in an election and we have the numbers to make a difference. It has been estimated that 94% of veterans vote. Combine this with spouses, family members and friends, and it results in a significant number of votes.

We are stronger together and our influence counts. However, we must speak with one voice and our voices must be heard. While veterans’ service organizations cannot officially endorse a political candidate, as individuals, we are urged to support those running for public office who support us and our legislative efforts. We show our patriotism and good citizenry as we play a role and get involved in the elections.

Our veterans’ quality of life must be a priority for our elected officials. The only way to ensure this is to vote for those candidates who believe in and support our issues. Therefore, it is important for us as citizens, veterans and voters to study the issues and be aware of the positions of those campaigning for public office, so we may cast an informed vote at election time.

REMEMBER:  “All Politics Are Local.”  We need to elect pro-veteran candidates who will support us in office. Then, we need to let our elected officials hear our demands “loud and clear” to preserve benefits and support our veterans, active-duty military and their families. If our elected officials don’t hear from us, they will assume that we are satisfied with the way they vote and the outcome of the issues that affect our daily lives, and we will live with the consequences.

Following are some helpful hints that we can use to assist our Auxiliary members, family members, friends and our communities on how to get involved and actively participate in the legislative process:

1. Use the “Veterans Vote” Brochure for ideas on how to get involved:
   1. Encourage everyone to register and vote early in person or by mail.
   2. Stay informed!!! Know the issues. Identify those candidates who support veterans’ issues.
   3. Attend town hall meetings and candidate forums so you can ask questions and learn the candidate’s positions on veterans’ issues.
   4. Assist your Posts by encouraging and hosting a town hall meeting or candidate forum.
   5. Get involved in the campaign when possible. Following are some suggestions you can use to participate:
      • Volunteer to make campaign phone calls for candidates.
      • Host a “Meet the Candidate” forum at your home for friends and neighbors.
      • Offer rides to polling places on Election Day.
      • Offer babysitting/daycare services so parents and caregivers can go out and vote on Election Day.
      • Pass out the “I Vote in Honor of the United States Veteran” stickers on Election Day. You can print them on your own printer using Avery 5163 labels or equivalent. Encourage voters to wear them proudly to the polls when they vote.

2. Follow the “VFW Auxiliary Involvement in Elections and Political Activities”: These guidelines were provided to us by our National Organization to assist us in our local VFW Auxiliaries in getting involved in the political process.

Helpful Resources to Stay Informed:

• VFW Action Center – View Current Legislation Affecting Veterans: https://votervoice.net/VFW/bills
• VFW Action Center – Take Action: https://votervoice.net/VFW/Campaigns
• VFW Action Center – See Where We Stand on Veterans Issues: https://www.vfw.org/advocacy/national-legislative-service
• VFW Action Center – Find your Legislator: https://votervoice.net/VFW/Address
• VFW Auxiliary Guide to Contacting Your Legislators: https://vfwauxiliary.org/wp-content/uploads/Legislative-Guide-to-Contacting-Your-Legislators.pdf

Once again, I am honored and humbled to serve you in this capacity and assist our Auxiliary members to actively participate in the legislative process. We can make a difference and help protect the benefits that our veterans, service members and their families have earned, deserved and been promised.

Thanks for all you have done and continue to do for our veterans.

“HONORING OUR MISSION TO SERVE VETERANS”

Stay safe and healthy!