The Defense Secretary is encouraging active-duty military personnel to register and participate in the upcoming midterm elections while emphasizing that the decision on how to vote remains with the individual service member. As part of the effort, a temporary stand-down order has been issued, granting troops a single day this month to vote without penalty. The move has drawn criticism from some who question whether the push oversteps traditional military neutrality in political matters. Supporters argue it simply ensures service members have the opportunity to exercise their democratic rights.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is ramping up his get-out-the-vote campaign, urging U.S. troops to register to vote in the 2026 midterm elections but not telling them which way to vote. He also issued a stand-down order, allowing service members to get one day off this month to cast a ballot. Critics view Hegseth’s increased emphasis...
