Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Top US general says no troops at midterm polling sites
The United States will hold elections on November 3, 2026.
The country’s top military leader said troops are not planned for polling places.
This includes both regular federal military personnel and National Guard troops.
He also said the military does not plan to take voting machines or ballots.
State and local officials are responsible for running and protecting elections.
Senator Elissa Slotkin had asked military leaders for assurances about this.
Democrats were worried because of comments President Donald Trump made in May.
Federal law generally limits the military’s role in elections.
The general said he has not received and does not expect an unlawful order about the elections.
General Dan Caine said the military has no plans to deploy federal troops or National Guard personnel to polling places during the November 2026 midterm elections.
Caine said election administration and security remain the responsibility of state and local officials.
He said there are no plans to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials.
The letter was sent to Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin and received on August 28.
Democrats’ concerns followed President Donald Trump’s May comment that he would do “anything necessary” to ensure honest elections.
- Who
- General Dan Caine, Senator Elissa Slotkin, the Trump administration and U.S. military leaders are involved.
- What
- Caine said there are no plans to deploy federal military or National Guard troops to polling places during the 2026 midterm elections.
- When
- The letter was received August 28; the elections are scheduled for November 3, 2026.
- Where
- The elections will take place in the United States, with polling sites overseen by state and local officials.
- Why
- Caine said election administration and security are state and local responsibilities, amid concerns that the federal government could use troops or armed personnel near polling places.
Concerns About Federal Involvement
Military Assurances
Possible troop deployment
Concerns About Federal Involvement
Democrats, including Elissa Slotkin, expressed concern that the Trump administration could use troops or other armed federal personnel near polling places.
Military Assurances
General Dan Caine said the military has no plans to send federal military personnel or National Guard troops to polling places.
Election materials
Concerns About Federal Involvement
Concerns included the possibility of military involvement in election operations, including control of voting-related materials.
Military Assurances
Caine said the military has no plans to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials.
Basis for concern
Concerns About Federal Involvement
Democrats pointed to Donald Trump’s May statement that he would do “anything necessary” to ensure honest elections.
Military Assurances
Caine said he had neither received nor expected to receive an unlawful order concerning the military’s role in the November elections.
- Military position
- No deployment of federal military personnel or National Guard troops to polling places is planned.
- Election date
- November 3, 2026
- Letter recipient
- U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin of Michigan
- Letter author
- General Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
- Letter received
- August 28
- Election responsibility
- State and local officials remain responsible for election administration and security.
- Federal restriction
- Federal law generally prohibits deploying U.S. troops at polling places or using them to oversee elections.