In today’s day and age, it’s difficult to come across social causes with palpable support from all political parties. For military reciprocity, that’s not the case. Whether you’re left, right, or somewhere in the middle, most voters support using professional and digital licenses across states for military reciprocity.

In September of 2022, our partner Merit, in collaboration with Embold Research, surveyed 848 Registered Voters nationwide to uncover their views on the economic stability of military families and the implementation of digital professional licenses that can be used across different states. The results offer a shattering perspective on how critical military reciprocity is for voters. 

Voters widely recognize military reciprocity challenges

Military families are often moved and relocated with short notice and little time to prepare to find employment. The survey found that 93% of voters agree it’s hard to find a new job when you move frequently; we need to make it easier for military spouses to find new work, and 66% strongly agreed. Our recent Aspire Coalition Launch Military Organizations Solving Military Recopricity Challenges blog explored personal accounts from military spouses and veterans on the obstacles of finding employment, further explaining the struggles. 

Another hurdle to relocating is interstate job security or the lack thereof. By no surprise, veterans have strong feelings on the issue: over half of voters who once served were somewhat concerned about their family's ability to find employment if they had to relocate to a different state. Blue Star Families co-founder Laura Schmeigal described her employment challenges as a military spouse: “You know that not only do you move frequently, you don't get a lot of notice about when you’re going to move and where.”

Besides the worry about finding employment after moving interstate, 90% of voters view labor shortages and job security for military spouses as highly salient issues. Most voters, 97%,  agree: “We have labor shortages nationwide, including teachers, doctors, and nurses. We need to ensure states have access to the best talent.” 

16 states (and counting) have already passed measures that mandate or enable reciprocity for military families. Politicians, policymakers, and officials are beginning to embrace their constituent's passion for military reciprocity. Rightfully so, 6 in 10 voters are much more likely to vote for political candidates who support allowing military family members to work using their professional license(s) from a different state, and 26% are more likely to do so.

As mentioned, supporting military reciprocity is not a left, right, or other issue. The results showed some disparity by party but not by a significant amount. Republican voters feel more strongly about this issue - 69% are more likely to vote for political candidates who support this policy. Still, it is also important to more than half (54%) of Democrats and 46% of Independents. The results suggest policymakers, legislators, and politicians would gain voter traction by supporting the meaningful initiative by passing mandates and using technology to make it easier for military spouses and veterans to access transferrable digital licenses. 

Military families' and financial insecurities

Naturally, when employment is uncertain, military families face some financial burdens. 80% of American voters think military families face at least some financial insecurity. This belief is widespread for those who have family members serving and those who do not. This includes 42% of voters who think military families’ financial situation is “Somewhat secure, sometimes have trouble paying bills,” and 38% who think it’s “Insecure, frequently struggle to pay their bills.”

Only 10% of voters think their financial situation is secure, and almost half of the respondents who have or had family members serving in the military think that the financial situation of military families is insecure. 

The financial security of military families is viewed as an important issue for most voters, including those who do not have an active duty or veteran family member. 67% of voters without someone who serves or has served in their immediate family believe that it is very important that military families can earn a sustainable income. The results show that the issue of military reciprocity is important to voters, regardless of their affiliation with the military. 

Using Digital Solutions to solve Military Reciprocity issues 

Now that we’ve uncovered the overwhelming support for filling gaps in military reciprocity, it’s time to discover what to fill the gaps with. There are purpose-built solutions that address these concerns, like implementing digital licenses and interstate professional license reciprocity. Results showed that the support for these digital solutions is widespread, too. 84% of voters support allowing military families to use their professional licenses, and 73% support using technology to allow licensed people to use digital versions of their licenses.

Another finding was that younger voters tended to prefer digital over paper documentation. The results make sense, as younger generations are more accustomed to digital formats (online shopping, food delivery apps, social media, and more).  Roughly 66% of voters between 18 and 34 normally opt for digital when choosing between paper or digital documentation (i.e., statements, ID cards, bills, travel/event tickets, etc. This preference also holds for 35-49-year-olds; 56% choose digital over paper documentation when given a choice. 

Moving forward and making informed decisions

Military reciprocity is a widespread issue for constituents nationwide — no matter a voter's political party or affiliation with the military, they believe we need to make it easier for military spouses to find new work. The answer to this problem is a combination of mandates and digital solutions that empower license transferability across all states. States like Mississippi just signed a proclamation to decrease barriers to employment for military spouses, including those that come from out of state due to a Permanent Change of Station (PCS). Discover how digital solutions can support military reciprocity inatives and serve military spouses and veterans better.