US Military Rules Out Troops at 2026 Midterm Polls

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine has told US Senator Elissa Slotkin that there are no plans to deploy federal military personnel to polling places for November 2026 midterm elections.

In a letter to Slotkin, the Michigan Democrat said election administration and security are the responsibility of state and local authorities. Caine added that the Joint Force has no intention of sending Federal service members, or members of the National Guard who would be federalised, to vote locations during the elections.

He also said the Joint Force has no plans to use such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials.

Slotkin had pressed Defence leaders for written confirmation that no troops would be sent to polling sites this year. Earlier in the month, she wrote to Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and to Caine seeking assurances that the Pentagon would not deploy Federal troops to polling places or take possession of election materials.

No Deployments to Polling Places

Caine’s letter states that election duties remain with state and local officials, rather than the federal military. He said the Joint Force will not send Federal military personnel or federalised members of the National Guard into polling places for the November 2026 midterms.

The letter further addresses concerns about potential interference with election processes. Caine said there are no plans for the use of such personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other materials connected to voting.

Slotkin’s Request for Confirmation

Slotkin sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee and the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. She cited prior comments from President Donald Trump about the possibility of nationalising the midterm elections.

Her letters to Hegseth and Caine asked the Pentagon to confirm that it would not send Federal forces to the polls or seize election materials in any way. Slotkin’s request sought clarity on whether the federal government could take actions that would affect the conduct of voting during the midterm elections.

Trump Comments on Federalising the Vote

Slotkin’s concern was linked to remarks Trump made earlier this year. In comments to conservative commentator Wayne Allyn Root, Trump responded after Root suggested the president could declare a national security emergency to federalise the midterms.

Trump said: “Let me just say that stranger things have happened, OK? I’ll leave it at that,” according to the exchange.

Caine Says No Unlawful Orders Expected

In his response to Slotkin, Caine said he had not received, and did not anticipate receiving, any unlawful order about the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections.

He also said he was ready to discuss the matter further with Slotkin or other senators.

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1 September 2026