National Guard troops on standby in Washington state, Oregon and Nevada as a precaution for ‘potential’ election disturbances

CNN
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Ahead of potential civil unrest over Tuesday’s presidential election, the National Guard is on standby as a precaution in several states, including Washington state and Oregon, where hundreds of ballots were damaged or destroyed after at least three ballot boxes were set on fire recently, officials say.

Almost all of the ballots set on fire Monday were in a drop box in Vancouver, Wash., while most of the ballots in a drop box in Portland, Ore., survived a fire that started the same day, officials said electoral. The incidents are believed to be related to a third fire on Oct. 8, also in Vancouver. Portland Police released a physical description of a suspect, but said they have not identified him.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee address the ballot box goes off on Friday in a press release announcing the National Guard is being placed on standby, saying, “Southwest Washington State has already experienced specific instances of election-related unrest.”

Inslee did not disclose how many troopers will be activated Tuesday, but said they will be available to support law enforcement Monday through Thursday, according to the news release.

The US Department of Homeland Security has warned that threats to “election infrastructure” remain high, Inslee added.

“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 to any potential additional civil unrest,” Inslee said.

In Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a statement Friday that the National Guard is on standby as political leaders call for peaceful protests, according to CNN affiliate KTVZ.

“The governor’s office is closely monitoring and coordinating with local, state and federal agencies to ensure Oregon voters can cast their ballots safely,” the statement said.

While “there is no current information to suggest unrest,” Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said, according to KTVZ, “there is a lot of uncertainty and tension in our community.”

Oregon State Police are also coordinating with law enforcement in Portland, KTVZ reported, along with the Oregon Department of Emergency Management.

Portland’s Unified Command, which includes the city’s police, is increasing staff Tuesday “as a precaution,” according to a press release.

In 2020, former Oregon Governor Kate Brown put the National Guard on standby for a 48-hour period around Election Day and activated a unified command of state troopers, sheriff’s deputies and Portland police to handle any protests . according to the Associated Press.

In recent years, the National Guard has been activated in several states to greatly assist with cybersecurity threats during elections. The Colorado National Guard’s cyber task force was activated this year — a practice in place since 2018 — to protect election “infrastructure,” the Colorado secretary of state’s office said in a statement. statement last month.

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo this week as well announced that 60 National Guard troops are on standby “in preparation for a safe and trouble-free election day.”

“This decision, which reflects the state’s routine preparation for past elections, was made after consultation with election officials and state leaders,” Lombardo said in a statement. “It is one of many proactive steps the state is taking to ensure that all possible resources are available for a timely response to any challenges that arise.”

The activation will support state and local resources on Election Day, the release said.

Preparations are also underway in Washington, DC, where more than 3,000 police officers will work 12-hour shifts, Police Chief Pamela A. Smith said. a press conference Tuesday.

To ensure security, police chiefs in the United States they are making unprecedented plans for election day and the weeks ahead. The issue has become pressing for law enforcement ever since the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol which delayed the certification of the last presidential election.

Three law enforcement associations representing agencies across the country — the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Major Cities Chiefs Association — said in a joint statement last month, the authorities have been preparing for over a year and a half before the elections and have also asked citizens to remain vigilant.

“As always, associations encourage the public to speak up if they witness anything suspicious or unusual with election activities,” the statement said. “If you ‘see something, say something’ and let law enforcement investigate and determine the outcome of any suspicious circumstances or incidents.”

CNN’s Chris Boyette, Shimon Prokupecz and Meridith Edwards contributed to this report.