In the context of the federal law (
18 U.S. Code § 592) mentioned earlier, the phrase "person in the
civil, military, or naval service" refers to the two main branches of federal employment:
1. Civil Service (The "Civil" Part)
This refers to the
civilian workforce of the federal government. These are employees who work for federal agencies but are not active-duty military members.
- Examples: Agents from the FBI, DHS, ICE, or any other federal administrative department.
- The Rule: The law says these civilian federal officials cannot use their authority to bring "armed men" or troops to a polling place.
2. Military and Naval Service
This refers to the
Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Space Force, and Coast Guard).
- The Rule: Officers in these branches are strictly prohibited from stationing troops at polling stations.
Why the distinction matters
The law is written this way to cover
everyone who works for the federal government, whether they wear a military uniform or a suit. It ensures that:
- The President (as Commander-in-Chief) cannot send the military.
- Federal Department Heads (like the Secretary of Homeland Security) cannot send armed federal agents.
Is "Civil Military" a single group?
Usually, when people say "Civil-Military," they are talking about
Civil-Military Relations—the principle that the military must always stay under the control of elected civilian leaders (like the President and Congress) rather than running the country themselves.
In the specific law you asked about, "civil" and "military" are listed separately to make sure
no federal employee, regardless of their department, interferes with an election.
Local police are not part of the "federal civil service," which is why they are governed by state laws instead of these specific federal restrictions.
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18 U.S. Code § 592 - Troops at polls
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Whoever, being an officer of the Army or Navy, or other person in the civil, military, or naval service of the United States, orders, brings, keeps, or has under his authority or control any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held, unless such force be necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both; and be disqualified from holding any office of honor, profit, or trust under the United States.
This section shall not prevent any officer or member of the armed forces of the United States from exercising the right of suffrage in any election district to which he may belong, if otherwise qualified according to the laws of the State in which he offers to vote.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645,
62 Stat. 719;
Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(K), Sept. 13, 1994,
108 Stat. 2147.)
www.law.cornell.edu
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