Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§592 Troops at Polls
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 29 — ELECTIONS AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES › § 592
Summary
Any Army or Navy officer or federal employee who has troops or armed men at an election, unless needed to repel armed enemies, faces fine, up to five years' prison, and loss of federal office. They may still vote in their district if state law allows.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §592
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, being an officer of the Army or Navy, or other person in the civil, military, or naval service of the United States, orders, brings, keeps, or has under his authority or control any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held, unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; and be disqualified from holding any office of honor, profit, or trust under the United States. This section shall not prevent any officer or member of the armed forces of the United States from exercising the right of suffrage in any election district to which he may belong, if otherwise qualified according to the laws of the State in which he offers to vote.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 55 and 59 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 22, 26, 35 Stat. 1092, 1093). This section consolidates section 55 and 59 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative. In second paragraph, words “or member of the Armed Forces of the United States” were substituted for “soldier, sailor, or marine” so as to cover those auxiliaries which are now component parts of the Army and Navy. Changes in phraseology were also made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $5,000”.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 592
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102