WASHINGTON— The top U.S. general said the military has no plans to send federal military personnel or National Guard troops to polling places during this year’s midterm elections.
In a letter to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat from Michigan, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine said election administration and security remain the responsibility of state and local officials.
Caine’s letter was sent in response to a request from Slotkin, who had sought assurances from senior military leaders, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, that the Trump administration would not interfere in the November elections.
While stressing that no such deployment is planned, Caine said the military has no plans to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related material.
“I have neither received nor anticipate receiving any unlawful order concerning the role of the Joint Force in the upcoming November 2026 midterm elections,” Caine wrote.
Millions of Americans are due to vote on Nov. 3 in congressional, gubernatorial and local elections.
