# Most don't think military service makes a candidate more qualified

Canonical page: https://data.verasight.io/politics/most-dont-think-military-service-makes-a-candidate-more-qualified/

> Indexed question in Politics.

## Reading

Verasight surveyed 1,000 U.S. adults from September 25 to 30, 2026. 68.8% of Americans see a candidate who served in the armed forces as neither more nor less qualified than a similar candidate who didn't, while 27.8% see the veteran as more qualified.

Just 3.4% see a veteran as less qualified. The question compares two candidates who are otherwise similar.

## Topline

Some political candidates have also served in the armed forces prior to politics. Do you think they are more qualified for office than an otherwise similar candidate who did not serve, or do you see them in the same way?

Most don't think military service makes a candidate more qualified.

- Neither more nor less qualified: 68.8%
- More qualified: 27.8%
- Less qualified: 3.4%

## Methodology

- Mode: Verasight panel recruited via random address-based sampling, random person-to-person text messaging, and dynamic online targeting
- Population: US adults age 18+
- Field dates: 2026-09-25 → 2026-09-30
- Base (unweighted): 1,000
- Margin of error: +/- 3.5%
- Module: Democracy, Politics, & Participation
- Sponsor: Verasight
- Weight variable: weight
- Weighting targets: age, race/ethnicity, sex, income, education, region, metropolitan status

## Source

- Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-34](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-34)

## Citation

APSA Omnibus Survey #2026-153, fielded September 25-30, 2026, N=1,000 US adults age 18+, +/- 3.5%.

Canonical question URL: [https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-34](https://reports.verasight.io/r/2026-153-apsa-omnibus-report#q-34)