States and cities are beefing up security to prepare for potential election-related violence

Some cities and states are bracing for potential election-related violence, though so far tens of millions of votes have been cast without serious incident.

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee on Friday announced the activation of members of the state’s National Guard to be on standby in case they are called upon to assist local law enforcement. The governor said Guard members could be called upon to protect “vital infrastructure” for the election and to “respond to any disturbances” related to the election.

Guard members will be on standby until late Thursday, according to the governor’s order. The senior military official of the state determines the number of members required.

“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,” Inslee’s office said . said in a statement.

Across the river in Portland, Oregon the police said were “increasing staffing on election day and the following days as a precaution.” However, they said they were not aware of any election-related threats.

The announcements come after polls in Portland and nearby Vancouver, Wash., were set on fire last week. A few ballots were damaged in the Portland drop box, while the fire damaged hundreds of ballots in the Vancouver drop box. Authorities are still looking for the perpetrator.

In Nevada, Gov. Joe Lombardo’s office said 60 National Guard members would be activated “on standby” and stationed in Las Vegas and Carson City. he said activation is similar to previous choices. Guard members could be used to assist local law enforcement with traffic enforcement and building security, the governor’s office said in a statement.

Lombardo echoed other officials in saying the activation was just a precaution.

In Washington, DC, Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said police would be “going full activation,” meaning all police would be working 12-hour shifts, “and depending on what’s going on, maybe a little more so, to make sure we have enough officers on the street and in every corner of our city.” she said the city could call on law enforcement in other jurisdictions for assistance if needed.

Workers erect anti-climb fences and other security measures around Howard University on Sunday in Washington, DC, as Democratic vice presidential nominee Kamala Harris will spend election night at her alma mater.

Other security measures have been taken across the city. Around the White House and the Naval Observatory (which contains the vice president’s residence) it was enlarged. Some businesses near the White House closed their windows as a precaution, the local press reported.

Washington police announced road closures around Howard University for Vice President Harris’ election night party. Additional physical security measures are also being added at the Palm Beach County Convention Center, where former President Donald Trump Trump’s campaign will organize his party, the Secret Service said.

“These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue, but are part of broad public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election,” the agency told NPR.

Three organizations representing sheriffs across the country said in a a joint statement last week that they had been preparing for an election for a year and a half. The Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association and the Major Cities Chiefs Association said they are “prepared and united to ensure that Election Day 2024 is safe, secure and fair.”

Despite the lack of large-scale violence so far, many people across the country are worried about the potential. IN A NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll released Monday, 72 percent of likely voters said they were concerned about violence as a result of the election.