VA promotes greater access to voter information to Veterans and families

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs unveiled a series of measures March 24 promoting greater access to voter information for Veterans and their families as part of the  department’s proposed designation as a voter registration agency under the National Voter Registration Act.

In accordance with Executive Order 14019: Promoting Access to Voting, these steps are part of VA’s “whole health” approach to care, ensuring Veterans and their families are able to exercise the right to vote which Veterans fought and served to protect.

“We’re doubling down on the voting support we already provide — expanding access where we can and looking to do even more,” said Deputy Secretary for Veterans Affairs Donald Remy. “We’re providing assistance with the voting process for tens of thousands of inpatients and residents at our hospitals, nursing homes and treatment centers, along with homebound Veterans and their caregivers. This is a major undertaking as VA expands this effort, putting voting access right at the fingertips of all Veterans who may need it.”

VA launched a survey to over 12 million Veterans and their families in a first-of-its-kind effort to better understand Veterans’ experience with the voter registration process, and to better assist Veterans in addressing and overcoming any challenges. VA also developed a website for Veterans with nonpartisan information about voter registration and elections.

By summer 2022, VA plans to seek designation, by state officials in six states, as a voter registration agency under NVRA and to launch a pilot voter assistance program at VA facilities in those states — with an eye to the geographic and demographic diversity of the Veteran population.

To learn more or to take the survey, please visit VA.gov/vote.