San Antonio – In a move aimed at strengthening confidence in the upcoming November midterm elections, retired Army Lt. Col. Martha Spinks has launched a local effort to recruit military veterans as poll workers. Spinks founded the nonprofit Support and Defend last year with the explicit goal of channeling veterans’ discipline, leadership and integrity into civic service.
Veteran involvement as a trust‑building tool
“It’s a continuation of your service and your loyalty to your country to get involved in the election right now,” Spinks told volunteers at recruitment events across the city. The organization is seeking volunteers for roles such as poll workers, poll monitors, election judges, election clerks and deputy registrars.
Research from the University of Maryland’s Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement supports the strategy. The study, conducted this summer, found that even the most distrustful voters are 15 % more likely to trust the election process when they see veterans and their families manning the polls.
Local election officials welcome the help
Bexar County Elections Administrator Michele Carew has praised the initiative, noting that the county has faced challenges with the state’s TEAM voter registration system, which created a backlog of applications last year. “We’re wanting to build voter confidence, but TEAM has destroyed the voter confidence that’s in place,” Carew said in August.
Despite the technical setbacks, the county must continue using the system through the midterms. Recruiting veterans is seen as a practical way to address poll‑worker shortages that have persisted since the pandemic and to reassure voters that the election process is being overseen by disciplined, rule‑following citizens.
Broader veteran recruitment efforts
Support and Defend is not alone. The nonpartisan group Vet the Vote is working nationwide to enlist 250,000 veterans and military family members as poll workers. Since its 2022 launch, more than 168,000 service members have signed up, with hubs in five states, including Texas.
“There’s a sense of comfort in knowing that somebody who’s already committed to serve has signed up to serve again,” said Camellia Jackson, a Navy veteran who leads the Texas effort for Vet the Vote. Jackson emphasized that veterans are trusted, respected and known for strict adherence to rules – qualities that can help mitigate lingering doubts about election integrity.
Veterans speak on the importance of civic duty
Marine Corps veteran Mia Garcia, executive director of the Texas Veterans Network at Combined Arms, highlighted the civic significance of the initiative. “These guys and gals raise their right hand to go serve their country, not knowing if they’ll ever make it back. They have so much faith in this process that they would register as a poll worker,” she said.
Garcia added that visible veteran participation can help counter misinformation and restore public confidence. “It builds trust in the community,” she noted.
Historical context and current administration support
The push for veteran poll workers follows years of controversy over election integrity. President Donald Trump, who won Texas in 2020, wrote to Governor Greg Abbott in 2021 requesting an audit of the state’s results, describing alleged fraud as a “scam.” While a subsequent state audit found Texas elections to be secure, the episode underscored the need for tangible measures that reassure voters.
President Trump’s administration continues to emphasize election security and the importance of citizen involvement. By encouraging veterans—who have sworn to defend the Constitution—to take active roles in the electoral process, local leaders are aligning with that national priority.
How to get involved
Veterans interested in serving can attend recruitment events hosted by Support and Defend throughout San Antonio or contact Vet the Vote’s Texas hub. Training will cover poll‑worker duties, legal requirements and best practices for maintaining a fair, orderly voting environment.
With 1.5 million veterans residing in Texas, the state offers a substantial pool of qualified individuals ready to help safeguard the democratic process. As the November elections approach, the combined efforts of local nonprofits and national veteran networks aim to ensure that every San Antonio voter can cast a ballot with confidence.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
