US State of Washington Said on Friday (Nov 1) that he was Activating the National Guard to be on Stand-by after information and Concerns Regarding Potential Violence Related to the November 5 Presidential Election in the Country
US presidential election Washington state activates National Guard amid poll violence concerns
Jay Inslee, the governor of the US state of Washington, said on Friday (Nov 1) that he was activating the National Guard to be on stand-by after information and concerns regarding potential violence related to the November 5 presidential election in the country.
In Washington, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is easily expected to defeat Republican Donald Trump, according to polls.
Early voting is available to those in Washington and more than 2 million have already cast their ballots.
'A purely precautionary measure'
"Based upon general and specific information and concerns regarding the potential for violence or other unlawful activity related to the 2024 general election, I want to ensure we are fully prepared to respond," Governor Inslee wrote in a letter published on his website on Friday.
"This is a purely precautionary measure taken in response to the US Department of Homeland Security’s nationwide warnings regarding threats to election infrastructure and other recent activities that have occurred in southwestern Washington," the latter added.
The Guard will be on standby for four days, beginning Monday, November 4, and ending just after midnight on Thursday, November 7.
"Preparation to respond to civil unrest of the type already experienced will also require state-level coordination and the activation of additional support functions within Washington’s Emergency Management System," Inslee further said.
An incendiary device set off in a drop box in Washington
Inslee's announcement (to activate the National Guard in Washington) after an incendiary device was set off in a drop box in Vancouver on October 28.
Inslee said that the device damaged and destroyed hundreds of ballots, and a similar device targeted a ballot box in Portland, Oregon.
In this role, the WANG (Washington National Guard) will support local law enforcement and the Washington State Patrol as needed.
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