US presidential election: Washington state activates National Guard amid concerns over poll violence

Jay Inslee, the governor of the US state of Washington, said on Friday (November 1st) that he was activating the National Guard in response to reports and concerns about potential violence related to the country’s November 5th presidential election.

In Washington, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is easily expected to beat Republican Donald Trump, according to polls. Early voting is available for Washingtonians and more than 2 million have already cast their ballots.

“Based on general and specific information and concerns about the potential for violence or other illegal activity related to the 2024 general election, I want to ensure that we are fully prepared to respond,” Governor Inslee wrote in a letter released Friday on his website.

“This is a purely precautionary measure taken in response to national warnings from the US Department of Homeland Security regarding threats to election infrastructure and other recent activity that has occurred in Southwest Washington,” the latter added.

The garda will be on standby for four days, starting on Monday 4 November and ending just after midnight on Thursday 7 November.

“Preparing to respond to civil unrest of the kind already experienced will also require statewide coordination and the activation of additional support functions within Washington’s emergency management system,” Inslee said.

Inslee’s announcement (to activate the National Guard in Washington) after an incendiary device was set off in a drop box in Vancouver on October 28. Inslee said the device damaged and destroyed hundreds of ballots, and a similar device targeted a ballot box in Portland. , Oregon.

In this role, WANG (Washington National Guard) will support local law enforcement and the Washington State Patrol as needed.