States Seek to Limit Federal Agents Near Polling Places

Measures aim to prevent confrontations and protect election integrity

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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Several Democratic states are moving to bar federal immigration agents and other federal law enforcement from being near polling places and other election sites, amid concerns that President Trump will use federal forces to disrupt the upcoming midterm elections. The measures seek to combat the prospect of chaotic confrontations between federal agents and voters and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Why it matters

Trump's calls to "nationalize" elections and his history of working to overturn the 2020 presidential election results have prompted Democratic state lawmakers to act. They fear Trump is laying the groundwork to block or cast doubt on a losing outcome in the midterms, which typically see the president's party lose ground in Congress.

The details

Legislation to restrict immigration enforcement or the presence of federal forces near polling places and other election sites has been offered or announced in several states, including California, Connecticut, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington. The bills focus on immigration enforcement, but the New Mexico legislation would go further, prohibiting the military or any armed federal personnel from polling locations. The measures aim to protect polling places and election workers from interference.

  • The New Mexico legislature passed its measure in February 2026, the day after Trump's initial remarks about wanting to nationalize elections.
  • The bills are being considered ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The players

Donald Trump

The former president who has called for "nationalizing" elections and working to overturn the 2020 election results, prompting concerns that he may use federal forces to disrupt the upcoming midterms.

Tom Umberg

A California state senator who has introduced legislation to prohibit federal immigration enforcement within 200 feet of polling places, citing Trump's calls to "nationalize" elections as the "triggering event" for the bill.

Katrina Callsen

A Virginia Democratic state delegate who is the chief sponsor of a bill that would prohibit federal civil immigration enforcement within 40 feet of polling places and voting counting sites.

Katy Duhigg

A New Mexico Democratic state senator who is the lead sponsor of a bill that would prohibit officials from ordering or bringing troops or other armed federal agents to polling places or parking areas for polling places beginning 28 days before Election Day.

Jim Walsh

A Washington state Republican representative who chairs the state party and has characterized a proposal to block immigration enforcement from areas where ballots are processed or counted as "fearmongering" and a solution in search of a problem.

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What they’re saying

“When the president says he's going to break the law, I actually believe him.”

— Tom Umberg, California state senator (Stateline)

“I think this is just prudent, wise policy to do what we all know is right, which is to protect polling places.”

— Katrina Callsen, Virginia Democratic state delegate (Stateline)

“I just cannot imagine the president, as much as you might dislike him, ordering federal troops to seize New Mexico elections by armed force.”

— William Sharer, New Mexico Republican state senator and minority leader (Stateline)

What’s next

The New Mexico bill is now before Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham for consideration. If signed into law, the measure would prohibit officials from ordering or bringing troops or other armed federal agents to polling places or parking areas for polling places beginning 28 days before Election Day.

The takeaway

These state-level efforts to limit federal agents near polling places highlight the ongoing concerns about potential interference in elections, particularly in the wake of Trump's attempts to overturn the 2020 results. The measures aim to protect the integrity of the electoral process and prevent confrontations that could discourage voter participation.