Reading Room Document

Legal authority to use federal troops to quell Election Day disturbances

This document discusses the authority to use federal troops to quell civil disturbances at the polls on Election Day. It concludes that the restriction on the use of troops at the polls, as outlined in 18 U.S.C. 592, does not limit the President's authority under 10 U.S.C. 331-334 to use federal troops in certain circumstances. The document presents questions about the effect of 18 U.S.C. 592 on the President's authority to use federal troops and provides a summary of the legislative history of the provision. It also mentions that a comprehensive examination of the legislative history is being prepared.

November 4, 1968