To my brothers and sisters in arms, thank you.

That gratitude comes with an obligation. The people asked to defend this country deserve a real say in its future. So does every American.

That conviction drives our work at Veterans for All Voters. Today, we’re launching the Veteran Voting Opportunity Index, which grades all 50 states and D.C. on the rules that shape our voice at the ballot box.

The findings should trouble all of us. More than half of America’s veterans live in a state that earns an F in our index. Not a single state earns an A.

The majority of post-9/11 veterans don’t identify with either major political party, but can they vote in their state’s taxpayer-funded primaries? Can a service member overseas get their ballot home in time to count? Does your state have fair maps and laws that shine a light on dark money? Do veterans have meaningful choices on their ballots and the power to hold their leaders accountable?

These rules are choices, and we can change them. We shouldn’t have to join a political party to vote in a taxpayer-funded primary, or outbid a billionaire to get our leaders’ attention. Politicians should have to earn our votes in every election.

And we’re making progress. Alongside our partners, we’ve won eight of the 12 ballot initiative campaigns decided so far , with Alaska counting their results.

In Alaska, we remain cautiously optimistic. The effort to repeal Alaska’s unique voting system is trailing and has lost ground as more ballots are counted. VAV has been deeply involved in defending those reforms. Once the count is complete, we look forward to sharing more about that important work.

Alaska also shows why this veteran voting index matters. Repealing Alaska’s system would drop the state from a B-minus all the way to an F. The index gives us a concrete way to show how changing election rules can strengthen or weaken the voice of veterans, military families, and the communities we serve.

Find your state’s grade, explore what a reform could change, and share the index with a veteran you know.

Election Day is behind us. The work of putting voters in charge continues in our states and communities, with veterans helping lead the way.

Today, I hope you’ll also take a moment to check in on someone you served with. Ask how they’re doing. Let them know they matter.

To everyone who served, and everyone who stood beside us, thank you. We’ll keep working for a country worthy of that service, and a government of, by, and for the people.

In service,