US Defense Secretary Hegseth called for a one-day pause in military activities in October during election years to enable service members to vote.

Under the instruction sent to commanders and supervisors within the department, the measure will be implemented in every election year starting this year. Hegseth asked that this year’s break be implemented by October 15 at the latest.
In a video message posted on his X account, Hegseth said that service members’ duty locations being far from the states where they reside made it difficult for them to vote.

The US defense secretary called on military personnel to fill out their ballots and vote in person at polling stations on the day of the measure.