US National Guard.Photo: slovoidilo.
The US National Guard is on high alert in anticipation of a possible escalation of civil unrest during the 2024 presidential election. Due to tensions in society and incidents involving damaged ballot boxes, the governors of Washington, Oregon and Nevada are taking preventive measures to ensure the safety of citizens.
In recent weeks, there have been several acts of vandalism against electoral infrastructure, including ballot boxes set on fire in Washington and Oregon. According to TimeUkraineIsrael, citing CNN, hundreds of ballots were destroyed in just one day when a ballot box was set on fire in Vancouver, Washington, and another was damaged in Portland, Oregon. According to election officials, these incidents may be related to the 8 October fire that also occurred in Vancouver. The Portland police have released a description of the suspect, but have not yet identified him.
Precautions at the local level
Washington State Governor Jay Inslee responded to the situation by addressing the public through a press release. He announced that the state’s National Guard was on alert as a precautionary measure in response to possible election-related unrest. The National Guard will support local law enforcement Monday through Thursday to ensure stability in a region that has already experienced some unrest. Inslee said the threat to electoral infrastructure and the potential for violence remain real, prompting him to take these precautionary measures.
Similarly, in Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek also announced that the National Guard is ready to respond to disturbances, although there is no specific information on the threat to public order at this time. According to local news outlet KTVZ, political leaders in the state are calling for peaceful protests and are working with local, state and federal authorities to ensure the election process. The Portland police also increased the number of officers on duty on Election Day as an additional security measure.
Experience from previous elections and national coordination
The National Guard and other services already have experience in responding to election-related crises. In 2020, former Oregon Governor Kate Brown also activated the National Guard for 48 hours before Election Day, including to support the Portland Unified Command. This year, the Colorado National Guard is also actively working to protect cybersecurity, which has been part of its strategy to protect election infrastructure since 2018.
In Nevada, Governor Joe Lombardo said 60 National Guard troops are already on standby to ensure a “peaceful and secure” election day. According to him, this step is part of standard election security practices.
In addition, in the nation’s capital, Washington, D.C., police leaders are preparing for potential challenges by deploying more than 3,000 police officers on a high alert as the nation prepares for Election Day. According to Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, these measures are part of an unprecedented new strategy to protect public order and security in the event of an escalation.
Law enforcement agencies call for vigilance
Given the incidents of recent years, including the storming of the Capitol on 6 January 2021, US law enforcement agencies are placing great importance on public safety during the election process. The three major law enforcement associations – the Chief County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Major City Chiefs Association – have asked the public to remain vigilant. Citizens are asked to report any suspicious activity on Election Day to law enforcement, urging: “If you see something, report it.”
These preparations reflect the seriousness with which the US is approaching this election.
