User blog comment:Longdead97/Ulfric's war effort & gaining support. Smart move or no?/@comment-6881629-20130323103701/@comment-80.216.216.52-20130323115905

It's not just for gameplay (except possibly for High Elves cause well...), it is Redguard farmers you meet who are on their way to join the Stormcloaks after all and there are explinations for it.

They would for obvious reason be held in high regard by (true) Nords in general and Stormcloaks in particular.

As for the other "Races" (species is more approriate, but it is fantasy) nobody fighting a war would turn away volunteers though it would take a peculliar High Elf to join the rebellion.

Or simply one who really truly hates the Thalmor.