Letitia James says armed federal agents are not allowed at New York polls
Letitia JamesAttorney General of New York
James says armed federal agents are not allowed at New York polling places and that no one can use a badge, a weapon or a threat to stop someone from voting.
“I want New York voters to know the law is on their side. Armed federal agents are not allowed at polling places, and no one can use a badge, a weapon, or a threat to stop you from voting.”
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Should ICE and other armed federal agents be allowed at or near polling places in the 2026 election?
Since February 2026, federal officials have given differing answers about whether ICE and other armed federal agents could be at or near polling places during the November 3 election. On September 1, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE would be at a polling place only if there is a threat to it or agents are serving a warrant, and DHS told Politico that ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations but that arrests could result if an active public safety threat endangered one. On September 10, 18 and 23, 2026, LULAC and other groups, a coalition including the NAACP, and Democratic leaders and party committees sued separately in federal court in Washington. They allege that the administration's statements and actions violate 18 U.S.C. 592, Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, or both. As of September 25, the court dockets show no motion for a preliminary injunction and no answer or motion to dismiss from the federal defendants, and no court has ruled.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
The New York attorney general's release says troops and armed federal officers, including ICE, CBP and FBI agents, are not allowed at polling places under state and federal law, and lists voters' rights at poll sites.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
James issued the reminder while early voting was underway in New York, which runs through November 1 before Election Day on November 3. She said no eligible New Yorker should stay home on Election Day because of fear.
After the quotation
The release says New York law bars local governments from giving immigration officers access to a polling location for enforcement without a valid judicial warrant or court order, and points voters to the office's Election Protection Hotline.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The matter under scrutiny is allowing armed federal agents, including immigration agents, at or near voting sites. James says state and federal law bar their presence and urges voters to report intimidation.
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The Dispute Index. "Letitia James says armed federal agents are not allowed at New York polls". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7113-james-says-armed-federal-agents-are-not-allowed