We hear a lot these days about the political bickering on affordability and the economic realities of investments and returns. There is one unique community that made major investments so that others could reap the returns. Our Veterans have the unique perspective of investing in their youth and in many cases, their lives and paying with lifelong impacts. Investments paid up front with no guarantee of personal returns.
All Americans have collected the returns of their investment. Freedom of speech, freedom to worship, the power of the vote, and the security to live our lives as we want.
We also hear a lot about the endless dissection of the ever changing “voting blocs”. Older generations exist and new generations enter. Both have deeply imbedded principles at work, often driving the diverse opinions of our electorate. And who can deny that the impact of social media and the emergence of the dark forces of uncontrolled immigration and voting integrity have become influential in distorting those returns?
It is time for those that have made the very risky investments to play a role in deciding the returns.
Even though our Veterans are the only American community that have given both their life commitment and the power of their vote to support our nation, many may believe that voting is not necessary because they have already given so much. It has never been more consequential to sustaining the American ideals than this 250th Anniversary year of our founding.
According to the Census Bureau an estimated 6 million veterans did not vote in the 2022 election.
The Calvert Task Group, with support from our sister organizations STARRS and the MacArthur Society of West Point graduates, has launched VeteransVote.us, a nonpartisan voter participation initiative ahead of the November 3, 2026, election. Its central message is “You kept your oath. Keep your vote.” It connects military service with the responsibilities of citizenship.
Veterans face different circumstances depending on their state of residence, registration status, mobility, and access to voting facilities. Election procedures also vary across jurisdictions. Our voting website simplifies these requirements and addresses some of these uncertainties by directing visitors to official government election resources.
Military service demands informed judgment, decisive action, and personal accountability. Those same principles apply at the ballot box where veterans must weigh competing priorities, make informed choices and accept responsibility for their vote.
We are united in trying to ensure that the oft-forgotten veteran community has a strong voice in this debate over the future of America.
Time is critical and the Veteran Vote can make a real difference. Veterans must do their duty once more….VOTE!
