Federal law is clear: armed military personnel and federal agents are not permitted at polling places during elections.

Yet recent NYT reporting shows the Democratic National Committee has filed a lawsuit seeking clarity from the administration about whether any plans exist to deploy armed officers at election sites. While officials have stated there are no current plans, they have not fully ruled out all scenarios.

Voting should be free from intimidation. Polling places should be safe, neutral spaces — not surrounded by armed federal personnel.

We call on the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Defense to publicly and unequivocally commit that no armed federal officers or military personnel will be deployed at polling locations in any state.

American democracy depends on voters feeling safe and unthreatened at the ballot box.

Protect free and fair elections. Keep armed officers away from polling places.