Hegseth Orders October Voting Day for Service Members

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered military commanders and supervisors to set aside one day in October for service members to register, request absentee ballots and vote, with units directed to complete the stand-down by October 15. The directive says the practice will recur in even-numbered election years. Hegseth announced the order on October 2, a day after signing it, according to reports describing the directive. The memorandum says commanders should provide time for personnel to review registration requirements, work with voting-assistance officers, submit Federal Post Card Applications and cast ballots, including while on duty if they choose. The order also calls for scheduling flexibility so service members can help their spouses and voting-age dependents with registration and absentee voting. It does not specify how individual units will arrange the day, and the available information does not establish whether units have begun or completed the stand-down. A central provision bars commanders, voting-assistance officers and other leaders from attempting to influence, direct or advise service members or their families on how or for whom to vote.