12. Troops at Polls: 18 U.S.C. § 592 This statute makes it unlawful for anyone in the military or federal civil service to station troops or ���armed men” at the polls in a general or special election (but not a primary), except when necessary “to repel armed enemies of the United States.” Violations are punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and disqualification from any federal office. Section 592 prohibits the use of official authority to order armed personnel to the polls; it does not reach the personnel who respond to those orders. The effect of this statute is to prohibit FBI Special Agents from conducting investigations within the polls on election day, and Deputy U.S. Marshals from being stationed at open polls, as both are required to carry their weapons while on duty. This statute applies only to agents of the United States government. It does not prohibit state or local law enforcement agencies from sending police officers to quell disturbances at polling places, nor does it preempt state laws that require police officers to be stationed in polling places. And finally, it does not prohibit armed federal response when a polling place has ceased to function because of, for example, a bomb threat or active shooter. 13. Campaign Dirty Tricks Two federal statutes, both of which are part of the Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA), specifically address campaign tactics and practices: 52 U.S.C. §§ 30120 and 30124. As is the case with all other FECA provisions, violations of these two statutes are subject to both civil and criminal penalties, 52 U.S.C. §§ 30109(a) and 30109(d) respectively. These penalties will be further discussed in Chapter Five. 73