ACLU of Arizona Urges Counties to Protect Voters from Threats of Federal Interference, ICE at Polling Places

PHOENIX — The ACLU of Arizona sent a letter to election administrators in all 15 Arizona counties and the Secretary of State yesterday reminding them that it is illegal for federal troops or armed federal law enforcement officers to be deployed to any polling place. This prohibition applies to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and all other federal law enforcement personnel, as well as to National Guard troops and other members of the military.

The letter was sparked by recent comments from members of the Trump administration, including DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, who suggested last week that ICE agents could be sent to polling places in some circumstances — something that is expressly forbidden by law.

“One of the most basic cornerstones of our democracy is that every eligible citizen has the right to cast a ballot free of intimidation, coercion, or threats. It is illegal for federal troops or law enforcement officers to be deployed to any polling place,” said Katelynn Contreras, policy strategist for the ACLU of Arizona. “Comments by members of the Trump administration about ICE agents or troops being sent to polling places are part of an intentional effort to create confusion around our elections and seed lies about our immigrant neighbors with the aim to contest any results they dislike.”

The ACLU of Arizona is working to ensure that elections are conducted fairly, transparently, and in accordance with state and federal law. The nonpartisan civil rights organization encourages every Arizona voter to check their registration by October 5, to return their ballot-by-mail or vote in person as early as possible, and to call the nonpartisan Election Protection Hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE or 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA if they encounter any problems or issues while casting their ballot.

Experts from the ACLU of Arizona are available for interviews in English and Spanish.