National Guard says it is ‘actively addressing’ incident of troops near DC ballot drop box

The District of Columbia’s Board of Elections formally requested that the National Guard stay away from voting locations after troops were spotted standing in front of a ballot drop box on Thursday.

The elections board confirmed to the Washington Sun it had sent a request to the National Guard, calling on it to “impose limitations on the placement of National Guard service members near drop boxes and other voting locations in the District.” The formal request came after photos emerged on Thursday of several National Guard members standing near a Foggy Bottom ballot drop box. Joint Task Force-District of Columbia, which is coordinating the multi-state military deployment to the capital, confirmed it is aware of the incident.

The Washington Sun first reported on the board’s request. The Council of the District of Columbia, the legislature for the district, said on social media that the presence of troops near the box “is clearly not acceptable.”

A JTF-DC spokesperson told Task & Purpose that the task force is “aware of imagery circulating online of service members standing near a ballot drop box” and working to address it.

“Maintaining public trust is a top priority, and JTF-DC service members are directed not to monitor or secure polling locations,” the spokesperson said in a statement to Task & Purpose. “JTF-DC is actively addressing this specific instance and remains fully committed to conducting its missions professionally, lawfully, and with respect for the public’s constitutional rights.” 

Federal law prohibits troops or armed federal law enforcement from being at polling places. It is unclear how long the Guard members were next to the ballot box.

The ballot drop boxes went active on Friday and will remain open until polls close on Nov. 3. Dozens are located around Washington, often at libraries and recreation centers, as well as near Metro stops. National Guard members have patrolled around the city, including near parks and inside Metro stations.

The National Guard was deployed inside Washington in August 2025, mobilized to support federal agents as the Trump administration worked to address what it said was rampant crime inside the district. Alongside the district’s own National Guard, several states sent troops to support the mission.

There are 2,978 National Guard troops from the district and 18 states and territories operating in Washington, according to JTF-DC figures as of Oct. 5. That’s down from more than 5,100 troops in the capital for the 4th of July. The National Guard is expected to remain deployed to Washington into early 2029.