Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine confirmed the U.S. military has no plans to send personnel to polling places for the November elections, assuring Senator Elissa Slotkin that the military will not seize ballots or voting machines.
The statements address concerns about potential military involvement in U.S. elections, reinforcing legal restrictions and the military's commitment to remaining apolitical in electoral processes.
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine has confirmed that the U.S. military has no plans to deploy federal military personnel or National Guard troops to polling places during the upcoming November elections. In a letter responding to Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, Caine stated that election administration and security are the responsibility of state and local officials. He also assured that the military has no intention of seizing ballots or voting machines and has not received, nor anticipates receiving, any unlawful orders regarding the military's role in the elections.
These assurances come amid concerns raised by Democrats, including Slotkin, about potential interference in the elections by the Trump administration. These concerns have been fueled by past comments from Donald Trump regarding ensuring election honesty. Federal law generally prohibits the deployment of U.S. troops at polling places or their use in overseeing elections, with exceptions typically involving the National Guard under state control to repel armed enemies.
Senator Slotkin had sought assurances from senior military leaders, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, regarding the administration's potential interference. The letter from Caine was received on August 28.