The Washington National Guard has been activated in what appears to be its first large-scale deployment to help protect ballot drop boxes across seven counties, with unarmed, plainclothes members set to observe for tampering or other unusual activity through 12:01 a.m. Nov. 10.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed the activation order on Oct. 21, designating the mission “Election Neighborhood Watch.” The deployment began Monday and will continue until Nov. 10. National Guard members are assigned to King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Clark, Lewis and Island counties.
Nearly 70% of ballots returned so far arrived via drop boxes, and auditors say they had not detected any credible threats to drop boxes that would prompt a request for the National Guard’s presence, but several accepted the governor’s offer of assistance at no cost to local taxpayers. “There’s a lot of noise about elections right now,” said Linda Kent, Pierce County’s deputy auditor. “Looking at the broader context, out of an abundance of caution additional resources is not a bad idea.”
Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer said elections officials whose biggest worry was once power outages are now dealing with “threats against the people who work here and the actual ballots.”
The guard’s role is to observe: members are unarmed, in plainclothes, not to interact with voters, and are to call 911 or notify local authorities if they see someone trying to tamper with a box or other unusual activity. In Pierce County they will perform a “roving survey” of boxes, likely driving around at night and overnight. King County will use them as “additional eyes and ears,” according to Halei Watkins, communications manager for King County Elections.
According to the governor’s office, Washington National Guard cybersecurity professionals have been activated to assist with cybersecurity tasks for every election since 2016. In 2024, Gov. Jay Inslee activated the guard after a drop box was set on fire in Clark County. More recently, white powder has been sent to offices of numerous elected officials in the state and across the country.
The U.S. Department of Justice is sending eight monitors to King County and some to Yakima County. King County last had federal monitors in 2008. Elections Director Julie Wise said they will have “the same level of access as the public does.”
“We are expecting smooth sailing,” Watkins wrote.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The unprecedented use of National Guard troops to guard ballot drop boxes reflects growing security concerns around mail-in voting and election infrastructure.
- Washington's move could set a precedent for other states considering similar measures in future elections.
- The deployment highlights the tension between ensuring election security and maintaining a non-intimidating environment for voters.
Background
Washington has a mail-in voting system where nearly 70% of ballots are returned via drop boxes. Historically, the Washington National Guard has provided cybersecurity support for elections since 2016. In 2024, the guard was activated after a drop box was set on fire in Clark County. More recently, white powder was sent to offices of elected officials in the state and across the country, contributing to an atmosphere of heightened alert.
What to Watch
- Whether any incidents occur at drop boxes during the deployment, and how the guard's presence is received by voters.
- Whether other states follow Washington's lead in using National Guard personnel for election security.
- The outcome of the DOJ monitoring in King and Yakima counties, and any resulting reports.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
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- SupportedWashington deployed National Guard members to protect ballot drop boxes in seven counties.Washington State Standard: “members of the Washington National Guard are being deployed in seven counties to help protect ballot drop boxes”
- SupportedThe move is precedent-setting.Washington State Standard: “In a precedent-setting move, members of the Washington National Guard are being deployed in seven counties”
- SupportedThe move comes amid officials’ concerns about threats to election workers and ballots.Washington State Standard: “Pierce County Auditor Linda Farmer said elections officials whose biggest worry was once power outages are now dealing with “threats against the people who work here and the actual ballots.””
- SupportedThe deployment appears to be the first large-scale National Guard activation to provide greater ballot security in Washington’s mail-in system.Washington State Standard: “The mission, dubbed Election Neighborhood Watch by Gov. Bob Ferguson, appears to be the first large-scale activation of National Guard members to provide greater security of ballots cast in the state’s mail-in system.”
- SupportedThe Guard members are to be unarmed and in plainclothes.Washington State Standard: “National Guard personnel are to be unarmed and in plainclothes, not their uniforms.”
- SupportedThe Guard members’ role is to observe and report tampering or other unusual activity to 911 or local authorities.Washington State Standard: “Their role is to observe. If they see someone trying to tamper with a box or other unusual activity, they are to call 911 or notify local authorities.”
- SupportedThe deployment is set to end at 12:01 a.m. on Nov. 10.Washington State Standard: “Election Neighborhood Watch began Monday and will end at 12:01 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10.”
- SupportedGov. Bob Ferguson signed the activation order on Oct. 21.Washington State Standard: “Ferguson signed the activation order Oct. 21.”
- SupportedThe activation mission was designated “Election Neighborhood Watch.”Washington State Standard: “The mission, dubbed Election Neighborhood Watch by Gov. Bob Ferguson”
- SupportedNearly 70% of ballots returned so far arrived via drop boxes.Washington State Standard: “Nearly 70% of ballots returned so far arrived from a drop box.”
- SupportedAuditors said they had not detected credible threats to drop boxes that would prompt a request for the Guard.Washington State Standard: “Auditors say they had not detected any credible threats to drop boxes that would prompt a request for the National Guard’s presence.”
- SupportedLinda Kent, Pierce County’s deputy auditor, said: “There’s a lot of noise about elections right now,” and “Looking at the broader context, out of an abundance of caution additional resources is not a bad idea.”Washington State Standard: ““There’s a lot of noise about elections right now,” said Linda Kent, Pierce County’s deputy auditor. “Looking at the broader context, out of an abundance of caution additional resources is not a bad idea.””