What’s Breaking Through About Deploying Federal Agents to Polling Places

Since the end of the Civil War, federal law has prohibited armed federal law enforcement and the military from being deployed to polling places when people are voting. But now, members of President Trump’s inner circle are pushing for his administration to send federal agents to voting locations during this year’s midterm elections.

The idea has concerned state and local officials, who not only foresee federal agents potentially intimidating voters, but also risking the trust and relationships that state and local law enforcement have developed with their residents. The country saw in Minnesota the chaos that can happen when federal agents surge into communities. Any voter intimidation at or around polling places would be illegal, state officials have argued.

Sending federal immigration agents to polling places is also unpopular with Americans, even when given the president’s justification that it’s supposedly necssary to ensure only citizens are voting. In a recent States United survey, more Americans opposed than supported the idea of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being stationed at the polls.

Though officials at the Department of Homeland Security have said there are no plans to send ICE to the polls and that there is “no reason” to do that, some state election officials remain skeptical.

Here are the messages from state leaders that we found are resonating with Americans, based on States United research:

• State and federal laws are abundantly clear: It is illegal to send armed federal agents or the military to polling locations during elections.
  • President Trump is not above the law.
• Voter intimidation is illegal.
  • Our state will take the Trump administration to court to prevent armed federal agents at polling places. No American should be scared from casting a ballot and making their voice heard. We will not let our voters be bullied at the ballot box.
  • During the Civil Rights Movement, many Black Americans faced threats and intimidation just for trying to vote. Armed men stood near polling places to scare voters away. It was wrong then, and it would be wrong today. Every American should feel safe when they go to vote and we are committed to making it so.
  • Threatening to send armed federal agents to polling places is meant to intimidate people in our communities, plain and simple. Trump is trying to scare away voters and we won’t let him. The law is clear: Voter intimidation is illegal.
• Trump and his allies will stop at nothing to undermine our elections and voters.
  • We refuse to back down. We will fight to keep our elections fair and our voters safe.
  • In America, voters pick their leaders, and states run elections. Voters have the power. We will not be intimidated.
• While the president and his allies might threaten to send armed agents to polling places around the country, the head of ICE told Congress that there’s “no reason” ICE should be at polling places. The president should take the advice of his own advisers.
• With a lot of unknowns about what will happen this election season, it’s more important than ever to have a voting plan.
  • Vote early in person or vote by mail. Make a plan with your family or friends. Preparation is power.
  • It’s my job to make sure you can cast your ballot safely and securely. We will work with state and local law enforcement and election officials to make sure you have the information you need. And it’s your job to make a plan and cast your ballot.
  • We are all in this together.