Montgomery, AL – Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen recently unveiled the “Heroes at the Polls” initiative, a program designed to engage veterans in safeguarding election integrity by serving as poll workers. Secretary Allen emphasized the significance of secure and transparent elections as the bedrock of the constitutional republic. In his words, administering such elections is a substantial responsibility, and the Heroes at the Polls program aims to fulfill this responsibility by recruiting veterans to contribute to the democratic process.
Secretary Allen, Alabama’s 54th Secretary of State and Chief Elections Official, underscored the unique qualifications of veterans to serve as poll workers. He cited their integrity, patriotism, and strong work ethic developed through military service as qualities that make them ideal candidates for the role. The program encourages veterans to apply for poll worker positions and undergo training administered by probate judges before each election. After training, veterans will serve as poll workers at locations designated by their respective local probate judges.
In acknowledging the essential role of poll workers in the election administration team, Secretary Allen expressed his commitment to supporting election officials across the state. He affirmed that his office would ensure they have the necessary resources to conduct safe and secure elections, positioning Alabama as a leader in election integrity.
To participate in the Heroes at the Polls program, veterans are encouraged to contact their local probate judge or apply for poll worker appointments through the Alabama Secretary of State’s official website, www.alabamavotes.gov.
The initiative has received widespread support from various quarters, including probate judges, veterans, and military service members. Notable endorsements include those from U.S. Navy Veteran and Washington County Judge of Probate Nick Williams, Danny Sample, COL (R), US Army, Iraqi Veteran, Commander, Department of Alabama Veterans of Foreign Wars, who stated “Combat veterans, perhaps more than anyone else, understand the importance of the right to vote. It is a fundamental freedom that we have as Americans to make our views known and heard through the ballot box. Protecting that freedom, and ensuring it for our posterity, is what we fought for. We can never surrender it. Members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars have served in places where the right to vote is a ridiculous fantasy. We encourage all citizens, of all political persuasions, to vote in all elections – local, state, and federal. Men and women of our armed forces have fought and died to secure that right. We honor them when we cast our vote for the candidates of our choice.”
Robert Schmidbauer, Chief of Staff, Department of Alabama VFW who stated, “Growing up, my grandmother always told me that it’s not just a right to vote, but, as a citizen it’s your obligation to your country. While deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, my units performed missions to ensure that the citizens of those countries were afforded the opportunity to vote in a safe, secure, and legitimate election. As a retired service member, I reflect on the words of my grandmother and the work we did in both Iraq and Afghanistan, and believe that if we are offered an opportunity to participate in a program such as ‘Heroes at the Polls’ we should do it.”
Robert C. Carr, Commander, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Smith-Wynn Post 96 stated, “Since the time of our US Forefathers, veterans have secured the American people’s right to vote for our elected representatives. With the Heroes at the Polls initiative, started by Secretary of State Wes Allen, we veterans continue to assist by volunteering our time to aid in the right to vote and serve as poll workers in our great State of Alabama. As an Iraq war combat veteran, watching the women of Iraq risking their lives and the lives of their families to cast a ballot, we do not take this responsibility lightly as it illustrates just how important it is to participate in the election process.”
Secretary Allen provided additional resources for interested parties, including a reference sheet and the Alabama Poll Worker Application. The Heroes at the Polls program aims to not only encourage veterans’ participation, but also foster a sense of duty and obligation to their country.
