Washington’s Governor Bob Ferguson has offered county auditors the option to utilize plainclothes, unarmed National Guard members to enhance security at local ballot drop boxes and busy voting locations as Election Day approaches. This initiative comes in response to recent security concerns, including an arson fire in Clark County earlier in 2024 that destroyed hundreds of ballots, as well as a series of threats involving letters containing white powder sent to several officials, including Washington’s Secretary of State. Counties across the state will decide whether to accept this additional support for the upcoming General Election.
The proposed plan, which Governor Ferguson described as an Election Neighborhood Watch, would involve National Guard personnel stationed out of uniform and without any weapons. Their primary role would be to observe these election sites and be prepared to communicate with local authorities if any problems arise. Guard members would not engage with voters as they drop off their ballots, ensuring a non-interactive presence.
This offer signifies an expansion of the Washington National Guard's long-standing support for the state’s election security. Since 2016, the Guard has provided critical cybersecurity assistance during every election. The new option would extend their activation to include a physical presence at election locations, but only upon request from individual counties. Governor Ferguson’s letter emphasized that accepting the offer is a county’s decision, noting that advanced notification would be necessary for the Guard to mobilize and allocate state resources effectively.
Following the governor’s announcement, the Thurston County Auditor’s Office confirmed its acceptance of the state National Guard resources to support its election security for the General Election. Thurston County specified that the National Guard personnel would serve in a purely supportive capacity, aiming to enhance the existing election infrastructure security. These members will remain unarmed and out of uniform, operating directly under the authority of the Thurston County Auditor, in coordination with local law enforcement agencies. The Auditor’s Office clarified that the Guard members would not function as law enforcement, nor would they handle, touch, or participate in the processing of ballots in any way.
Governor Ferguson concluded his letter by expressing appreciation for the diligent work of election workers across Washington. He conveyed pride in the state's secure elections, acknowledging their vital efforts "to ensure that every Washington voter’s voice is heard." This statewide offer aims to bolster confidence and security during the electoral process by providing an additional layer of observational support where local jurisdictions deem it necessary.
