Lights Out

From the CEO

Governor Youngkin: “Mr. President, we have a chance of winning Virginia!”

President Trump:  “We win Virginia, and it’s LIGHTS OUT! What do we need to do?”

Governor Youngkin: “FIRST, we need to talk to our Veterans! – We have Veterans everywhere! – We have to make sure they get out and VOTE.  And that’s exactly what we’re going to do!”

I know American Veterans Vote (AVV) members readily accept this mission!  We couldn’t have said it better.  I address this article first to our Members, present and future (650+ and growing!).  I then address all our Veterans and Veteran supporters who subscribe to our messages and hopefully consider joining AVV (40K and growing!).

With over 850k Active-Duty Service Members and Veterans in Virginia, we can make the difference between winning and losing in the crucial, always close elections ahead.  But every vote, in every district, whether early or election day, must be legally cast, reliably counted, and readily reported.  The sidelines in this election must be empty of Veterans and Veterans Supporters as we all take the field. Change through the Ballot Box will only happen if we commit to Vote, Volunteer, and Lead. 

There are no “safe or ‘hopeless’ districts.”  Every vote counts to elect candidates statewide as well as determine ever-close Congressional races.  “Down ticket coat tails” only exist if Veterans and Veteran Supporters set the pace and example in assuring Every Veteran, Every Vote is a reality.

This reality requires work within our AVV community in the short 100 days before November 5.  Necessary information for coordinating actions is posted and updated on our website.

AVV’s Actions:

·       Strengthen and expand AVV regional networks of Veterans, and Veteran Supporters and allies – within and beyond Virginia

·       Increase AVV membership, AVV subscribers, and AVV website users.

·       Increase donors and donations; refine strategic plans through early voting, election day, and post-election assessments. 

·       Adjust financial budgets and manpower allocation to support high payoff election operations

·       Increase “educate, inform, confirm” activities across all channels and statewide to our key audiences

·       Enable AVV members to act as key influencers within their regional, community, and personal networks **

 Veterans and Veteran Supporters Actions:

·       Register & Vote – Election Day (Good), Early in Person (Better), Absentee (Best) – see AVV Vets2Vote site here

·       Volunteer – AVV (Good), Campaign (Better), Polls (Best) – see Protect the Vote – Virginia here

·       Lead – Regional (Good), Community (Better), Personal (Best) – see **COYP (Contacts on Your Phone!)

**Practically, to reach as many Veterans and Veteran Supporters who may need further convincing to vote, personal influence “Vet to Vet” has the most impact.  As a key enabler, AVV or other AVV allies have organized our State Veteran database to provide short call or contact lists of nearby Veterans or Veteran Supporters whose vote could determine victory!**

Briefs well….what can one person do?  At a well-attended AVV event last weekend in NOVA, discussions with candidates and political leaders repeatedly cited successful examples of small teams with SOF like influence, ie. Small teams organized and committed to local activities using information and personal contact to influence outcomes. 

While GOP entities organize to work within defined localities, units, and precincts, Veteran and Veteran Supporters have the flexibility to influence more broadly at neighborhood, church, family, work, friend level.  There are no boundaries which is so key to turning out Every Veteran, Every Vote.  And, in Service we’ve all been asked to do hard but necessary work.  

Our goal of Every Veteran, Every Vote is daunting.  As Governor Youngkin points out in the video at top, there is a very large number of Veterans to target to put Virginia in play this year.  But we have a good idea where these Vets are.

See chart below:

The number of Veteran Votes “to get” are substantial in the districts we need to win or hold, and equally large across the state.  NO SAFE DISTRICTS.  We know Virginia Vet turnout in Presidential elections averages 80%.  That’s 20% of friends, neighbors, workmates who need to help Virginia Veterans TURN OUT THE LIGHTS.

EVERY VETERAN, EVERY VOTE

VETERANS FORWARD

Bob Wood

LTG (R), USA

CEO, American Veterans Vote