Politics
US military has no plans to deploy troops to polling places in November, Joint Chiefs chairman says
Gen. Dan Caine assured Sen. Elissa Slotkin that the Joint Force will not send military personnel to polling sites or seize voting equipment during the 2026 midterms.
The short version
- Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine confirmed in a letter that the U.S. military has no plans to deploy federal troops or federalized National Guard members to polling places for the November 2026 midterm elections.
- Caine also stated that the military will not seize ballots, voting machines, or election materials, and noted he has not received and does not anticipate any unlawful orders.
- The letter responds to inquiries from Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin, who raised concerns following previous federal force deployments and requested assurances from military leadership.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not yet responded to a similar request sent by Slotkin.
Key facts
- Gen. Dan Caine stated in a letter to Sen. Elissa Slotkin that the Joint Force has no plans to send federal troops or federalized National Guard to polling locations during the 2026 elections.[Associated Press]
- Caine confirmed the military has no plans to seize ballots, voting machines, or other election materials.[Associated Press]
- Caine wrote that he has neither received nor expects to receive any illegal orders regarding the Joint Force's role in the midterms.[Associated Press]
- Federal law prohibits armed federal forces from being stationed at polling places unless required to repel armed enemies of the United States.[Associated Press]
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not replied to Slotkin's letter as of the report.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unconfirmed whether Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will issue a formal written response to Sen. Slotkin's request.[Associated Press]