How to Help; How to Report
Tuesday, November 5 is election day!
The VFW Auxiliary encourages Americans 18+ to head to the polls, vote early where allowed or mail in ballots, as it is our right, privilege and duty as citizens, and for more than a century, members have been encouraging each other and our fellow citizens to do so.
More than 100 years ago, VFW Auxiliary members celebrated when women’s suffrage was earned, finally granting women the right to vote in national elections; some members may not realize that women could vote for the VFW Auxiliary National President for six years before being allowed to cast a vote for President of the United States of America! Through the decades members have also supported legislation to solidify and protect that right, including the 1924 Snyder Act, which was drafted to ensure Native Americans and those living on reservations were considered U.S. citizens.
In 1957, National President Beth Kveton (pictured below, kneeling) originated the idea of “election day nurseries,” which involved members babysitting for little ones whose parents were headed to the polls. Children had access to toys, books and crafts to keep them occupied.
In the 1960s, the VFW Auxiliary voted at National Convention to support the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment. Five years later, the Voting Rights Act was signed into effect by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
In the 1980s, many Auxiliaries participated in Get Out the Vote contests for schoolchildren; students submitted posters encouraging voting and the Auxiliaries voted on which were the best, awarding prizes. For decades, many members have volunteered to work the polls and/or have offered to organize carpools to help disabled veterans and elderly members get to their polling stations.
And just two years ago, VFW Auxiliary members worked together with the VFW and other veterans service organizations to compel Congress to pass the Honoring Our PACT Act.
“Knowing that the right to vote is a cornerstone of democracy, the Auxiliary has worked diligently over the years to encourage citizens to exercise their franchise,” wrote Kim Broers and Marilyn Ebersole in the book Celebrate 75 Years: Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW (1989).
HOW CAN I HELP?
One easy way to make a difference is by offering to take people to the polls who otherwise would not be able to go. Many elderly and disabled veterans and Auxiliary members struggle to find reliable transportation. Reach out to these members of your Post and Auxiliary to find out who might be in need of such assistance this November. You could even make a day of it by going to brunch first or lunch after, reconnecting with Auxiliary sisters or brothers you haven’t seen in a while, or inviting a few comrades and getting to know them better.
Additionally, if your state allows election day registration, share that information with people in your family and community who may not be registered yet, and encourage them to join you at the polls. Make sure they know ahead of time what, if anything, to bring.
Lastly, while election day nurseries are no longer held by Auxiliaries at local Posts (as far as we are aware), you can do your part for working parents you know by offering to help with their kids while they engage in their patriotic duty. Some polling places have playgrounds nearby; you could vote first while the kids play under the parents’ watch, then switch off, or, if you are retired and have grandchildren, offer to pick them up from school or daycare so mom and dad can stop at their polling place after work.
Don’t forget that the VFW and VFW Auxiliary are non-partisan organizations, which means no endorsement of candidates or political party by the VFW or VFW Auxiliary is permitted. See the below list (from 2018) to see what is and is not allowed