Defense Secretary Hegseth gives all troops a day off by Oct. 15 to register to vote
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ordered a one-day stand-down so service members can register and request absentee ballots.
Hegseth said about 300,000 troops did not register two years ago, and about two-thirds of active-duty members were registered in 2024, down 3 points from 2020.
- Hegseth said the stand-down will repeat in future even-year elections.
- Hegseth: "Now we're not telling you who to vote for, but we will give you every opportunity to do so."