D.C. attorney general's advisory says armed federal agents cannot be sent to polls
Brian SchwalbAttorney General for the District of Columbia
Schwalb's advisory says federal law generally bars the federal government from sending armed persons to election locations, including ICE, FBI and U.S. Marshals agents.
“Federal law generally bars the federal government from sending armed persons to election locations. Any armed federal agents—whether with ICE, the FBI, the U.S. Marshals, or any other agency—cannot be sent to polling places.”
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 D.C. attorney general's know-your-rights advisory answers questions about poll monitoring, federal law enforcement and voter intimidation in the District.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
The passage answers the advisory's question whether federal officials can send armed ICE agents to polls. Schwalb issued the know-your-rights advisory on poll monitoring and voter intimidation ahead of the November elections.
After the quotation
The advisory goes on to say that federal authority over law enforcement generally does not extend to local police, and that Justice Department poll monitors have no greater power than any other member of the public.
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. Schwalb's office says federal law bars sending them to polling places.
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The Dispute Index. "D.C. attorney general's advisory says armed federal agents cannot be sent to polls". First published: 2026-10-28. Last updated: 2026-10-28. https://disputeindex.com/events/7114-schwalb-s-advisory-says-federal-law-generally-bars