Keep ICE Away From Our Polling Places

A Republican candidate for governor was just caught on tape discussing a plan to bring ICE agents to polling places before the midterm elections.

Maine's Bobby Charles said he plans to ask White House border czar Tom Homan for ICE agents and U.S. Marshals at voting locations just weeks before Election Day. He even called the idea his “secret.”

DHS may say it has no current plans to send the agents to the polls — but we deserve a clear assurance that they won't interfere with our elections in Maine or anywhere else. And we can't wait until Election Day to demand that.

Tell DHS now: Keep ICE away from polling places during the 2026 elections.

Noncitizen voting is already illegal and extremely rare. But voter intimidation and suppression are an everyday threat under Trump.

No eligible voter should have to walk past immigration agents to exercise their right to vote. Polling places should be places of civic participation — not fear, surveillance, or immigration enforcement.

The threat of ICE at the polls would hit naturalized citizens, immigrant communities, and mixed-status families especially hard. Eligible voters could be forced to wonder whether casting a ballot might put them or someone they love in ICE’s sights, especially at a time when even citizens are being detained.

Charles has announced his plan before making the request. DHS is already responding. That means there is still time to shut this down before Election Day.

Now is the time for DHS to make one thing unmistakably clear: ICE agents will not be stationed at polling places to police voters or conduct immigration enforcement.

Voting booths are for voters — not ICE. Add your name and demand that DHS act now, before this attack on our freedom to vote goes any further.

The petition to the Department of Homeland Security reads:

“Publicly commit that ICE agents will not be stationed at polling places to police voters or conduct immigration enforcement during the 2026 elections. Every eligible voter must be able to exercise their right to vote without fear of immigration enforcement at the polls.”