IAVA - Election 2012: IAVA's Voter Guide | Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America

"Thank you for your service," is not enough.

Before every election, political candidates trot out the same old speeches thanking veterans for their service. They throw in a feel-good line for roaring applause. Yet very few of those candidates have a clear plan to fight for this generation of veterans. In this election, we're calling on you to be an educated and informed voter. Use this guide to cast a smart vote for new veterans.

Top 5 Issues in 2012

Get the Facts

Lower the Veteran Unemployment Rate

An average of 234,000 Post-9/11 veterans were unemployed during 2011.

Defend New GI Bill Education Benefits

Since 2009, the New GI Bill has put more than 650,000 veterans and their dependents through college.

End the Veteran Suicide Epidemic

More service members have died by suicide than have been killed in Afghanistan.

Transforming the VA

More than half of veterans needing immediate mental health care at the VA have to wait an average of 50 days for a full evaluation.

Support Female Veterans

18.5% of women seeking VA healthcare screen positive for military sexual trauma.

How to Use the Guide
Each issue summary comes with a checklist to help you ask candidates on both sides of the aisle the tough questions. You can use these checklists throughout campaign season as you:

Compare the records of the candidates running for office in your community.
Read and watch news on candidates and political races.
Engage with candidates at town halls or campaign events in your town.
Watch Presidential and Vice Presidential debates on TV.
Suggest and vote on debate questions for all candidates.

Your personal endorsement of any candidate who meets these criteria is NOT IAVA’s endorsement. IAVA is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that does not endorse candidates for office or support any political party.

Sound Off with IAVA online

Help us keep candidates talking about veterans issues until November 6th. We need you to raise your voice and keep the pressure on! Join the conversation with IAVA on our Facebook page, or use the hashtag #vetyourvote to chime in on Twitter!

Get Registered: Click here to learn how to register in your state, or how to request an absentee ballot.
Get Educated: Check out the rules regarding military uniform and political activity.
Get Involved: Sign up to join IAVA as a Member Veteran or Civilian Supporter - it's free, and you'll gain access to IAVA programming, resources and rewards.
For Policy Makers and Press: Check out all of IAVA's work in Washington.