Defense Secretary Hegseth Urges Service Members and Families to Register for Midterm Vote

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth released a two-minute video urging military personnel and their eligible family members to sign up to vote before the midterms, noting that roughly 300,000 service members are still unregistered—more than the ballots cast in cities such as Detroit, Boston, Milwaukee or Seattle. He explained that members can register via a standardized federal postcard and, if overseas, request a write-in absentee ballot, and he told commanders to encourage voting without directing candidate preference.

Hegseth referenced his past role as a voting assistance officer for his platoon at Guantanamo Bay, urging current voting assistance officers to assist their comrades. Federal Voting Assistance Program data show registration among active duty fell to 67 % in 2024 from 70 % in 2020, with 60 % of non-voters citing lack of motivation. A Rasmussen Reports poll found Donald Trump holds 60 % approval among military voters, while most military voters lean Republican for Congress.