"The intent of the U.S. Secret Service is grossly mischaracterized in a recent Boston Globe article. Our mission is apolitical as is the carrying out of our duties. The intent of a provision in a Homeland Security reauthorization bill is to simply allow us to protect those we are mandated to do so under Title 18 USC 3056 when at the election polls, and not violate the law.
Current federal law, Title 18 USC 592 "Troops at polls" bans the bringing of "any troops or armed men" to polling places unless such force is "necessary to repel armed enemies of the United States." In November of 2016 leading up to Election Day, while attempting to conduct a protective assignment at a polling location, Secret Service personnel encountered some reluctance to our presence and the carrying of weapons. Specifically, polling officials questioned if we were violating Title 18 USC 592.
Consequently, the Secret Service is simply seeking clarifying legislative language, that the presence of armed Secret Service agents and officers at polling places while performing our mandated protective mission under Title 18 USC 3056, would not be in violation of USC 592. The only time armed Secret Service personnel would be at a polling place would be to facilitate the visiting of one of our protectees while they voted."
Source: U.S. Secret Service