---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 592"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "592"
heading: "Troops at polls"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/592"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 29 — Elections and Political Activities"
---

# §592. Troops at polls


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), being an [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) of the Army or Navy, or other [person](/usc/18/229F.md?p=5) in the civil, military, or naval service of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), 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](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9).

This section shall not prevent any [officer](/usc/18/202.md?p=c) or member of the armed forces of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) 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](/usc/18/31.md?p=a-9) in which he offers to vote.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 719; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

## Notes

### 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 sections 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”.