National Guard Activated in Multiple States for Election Day

In anticipation of potential unrest during the upcoming presidential election, several U.S. states, including Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, have activated the National Guard. Governors from these states cited recent threats to election infrastructure and incidents of ballot box vandalism as reasons for the precautionary measures. Washington Governor Jay Inslee highlighted specific incidents involving incendiary devices at ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver, which have raised security concerns. Oregon's Governor Tina Kotek and Nevada's Governor Joe Lombardo have also mobilized troops to ensure a safe electoral process. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned of high threats to election infrastructure, prompting these preparations to counter any possible civil unrest. This proactive stance reflects lessons learned from the violent protests that occurred during the 2020 election cycle.