US Joint Chiefs chair says no plan to deploy troops at November elections

WASHINGTON, United States — WASHINGTON — The chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Dan Caine, told a senator there is no plan to deploy federal troops or federalized National Guard forces to polling sites for the November 2026 congressional midterm elections. In a written response to Michigan Democratic Senator Elissa Slotkin, Caine said Joint Force Headquarters has no preparations under way to send such personnel to the polls, according to the Associated Press. Caine also said there is no plan to use that personnel to seize ballots, voting machines or other election-related materials. The response followed Slotkin's request for clarification from Caine and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on any possible military deployment tied to the elections. The US midterms are scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, the midpoint of the presidential term. Voters will elect members of Congress along with governors in several states.