Democracy Without Intimidation Act: New Bill Would Strengthen Ban on Troops and Federal Law Enforcement Officers at Election Polling Places

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, Congresswoman April McClain Delaney (MD-06) introduced new legislation to safeguard our elections from security threats, even those from within the government including the President and federal law enforcement. The Democracy Without Intimidation Act would strengthen and clarify existing law that bars military and senior government leaders from dispatching troops or federal law enforcement agents to the polls, and mechanisms to hold Administration officials accountable for violations.

This legislation comes after White House border czar Tom Homan refused to rule out deploying U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to the polls, and as the Trump Administration pushes for the SAVE America Act to make voting harder for millions of Americans.

Current law, which dates back to the Civil War, includes a narrow exception that allows deployments "to repel armed enemies of the United States," which the Administration may attempt to illegally exploit under the guise of "invasion" by undocumented immigrants. Standing law also includes a mechanism for independent, apolitical judicial enforcement of the ban on troops and federal law enforcement at polls, which this bill would enhance.

This legislation would:

• Remove the 'armed enemies exception' from existing statute;
• Strengthen the ban on federal law enforcement and troops at polling places during federal elections;
• Reinforce the civil rights enforcement authority Congress gave magistrate judges after the Civil War; and
• Create a private right of action so voters can file a lawsuit against senior leadership and political appointees to stop any unlawful deployment - with expedited review and direct appeal to the Supreme Court.

"This Administration is trying to take control of our elections by any means necessary," said Rep. McClain Delaney. "That's a road back to voter suppression, plain and simple. It doesn't matter if you're a Democrat or a Republican - we all lose when people are afraid to vote. Coupled with the recent Supreme Court decision to hollow out the Voting Rights Act, we must take action to ensure every American's right to vote. If we don't, our democracy is in trouble."

Read the bill.

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For updates, follow Rep. McClain Delaney at @RepAprilDelaney.

Congresswoman April McClain Delaney was elected in 2024 to serve Maryland's 6th Congressional District, which encompasses all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. In Congress, McClain Delaney is focused on improving US competitiveness and innovation, protecting our natural environment and championing policies that represent the values and priorities of Maryland's 6th District.