As part of broader efforts to interfere with the 2026 midterm elections, the Trump administration has engaged in a wide array of strategies to deceive voters about the election, disrupt the voting and counting processes, and ultimately deny the results. 

One focus of that threat has long been the deployment of federal troops or law enforcement near or at voting locations around the country. This would likely be illegal, which is why it’s also one of the less likely scenarios. Federal agents at or near polling locations could be voter intimidation even if they are not right outside that location, and every voter has a right to vote safely and free from intimidation. Here’s how you should respond if you face such intimidation: 

What do I do if there are federal agents near or at my voting  place?

What do I do if there are federal agents near or at my voting  place? 

Every voter has the right to vote freely and safely. It is unlawful to: 

• Intimidate voters by verbal or physical confrontation 
• Post threatening flyers, send threatening messages or make threatening phone calls 
• Vandalize polling locations
• Physically intimidate voters 
• Including standing or hovering close to voters as they attempt to vote 
• Ask voters for documentation when none is required 
• Occupy the parking of a polling place in a way that hinders voters from entering 

If you are approached by a federal agent at a polling location, there are steps you can take: 

1. Stay calm and breathe as the agent approaches
2. Ask if you’re free to go. If yes, leave calmly. 
3. Exercise your rights: remain silent, request to see a warrant signed by a judge, decline consent to an unwarranted search, including of a device or private property, call an attorney 

If you see agents near a polling location, you should first report it to the election hotline, and then consider telling an election official at your polling location. You should also document the situation if it’s safe to do so. 

English	866-OUR-VOTE: 866-687-8683
Spanish/English	888-VE-Y-VOTA: 888-839-8682
Asian languages/English	888-API-VOTE: 888-274-8683
Arabic/English	844-YALLA-US 844-925-5287

How to report and document at a polling location

How to report and document an agent at a polling location 

If you are able too and feel safe, you can document any incident, using these principles as guidance:

• Document incidents when safe to do so according to the person’s own risk tolerance
• Capture audio only if you’re not able to film video
• Reference state and local laws on recording around polling locations 
• Start with wide shot to establish location, date, time and then zoom into action 
• If you choose to film, do so openly 
• Capture any identifying agent information including badge numbers and license plates

Use the Size, Activity, Location, Uniform, Time, Equipment (SALUTE) framework. 

Size – ​​How many agents or officers are present? How many cars?

Activity – What are the agents or officers doing? Who else is present? What are they doing? Who did agents speak with? What did they say?

Location – Where in or around the polling location are the agents? Include approximate cross streets, etc. 

Uniform – What letters, details or patches are visible on the agent’s clothes? Can you tell what department they are from?

Time – When precisely did you witness the agents?

Equipment – What did the agents have with them? Were they armed or have other weapons? Were they brandishing weapons?

Intimidation is not a legitimate part of the election process

Regardless of where it comes from, threats or attempts to intimidate voters at the polls are really an attempt to silence voters who want to make their voices heard. Voting is a fundamental right of living in a democracy, and it should be treated as such. 

The odds that federal agents or troops are sent to polling locations is low – you should feel confident that you will be able to vote as you normally would, and that your vote will be counted. Make a plan to vote, vote together, make sure that the people you know do the same, and trust that our democracy is not going to cede ground to intimidation, or any other attempt to manipulate the outcome.