US National guard mobilized in key states over election unrest worries

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News websites
3 Nov 2024 08:50
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Ahead of Tuesday's US presidential election, the National Guard is on standby in multiple states, including Washington and Oregon, in preparation for potential civil unrest.

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Members of the Washington National Guard stand outside the state Capitol in Olympia on Jan. 17, 2021, during a protest called by anti-government and far-right groups supporting then-President Donald Trump and his claim of electoral fraud in the 2020 presidential election. (AFP/Getty Images)

In anticipation of possible civil unrest surrounding Tuesday's presidential election in the United States, the National Guard has been placed on standby in several states, including Washington and Oregon.

This comes after at least three ballot drop boxes were set on fire, leading to the destruction or damage of hundreds of ballots, officials reported.

The majority of the damaged ballots were in a drop box in Vancouver, Washington, while most ballots in Portland, Oregon, survived a fire set the same day.

Authorities believe these incidents are linked to an earlier fire in Vancouver on October 8. Portland police have released a description of a suspect but have not yet identified him.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee addressed the ballot box fires in a Friday news release, confirming the National Guard's readiness. He noted that "the southwest region of Washington state has already experienced specific instances of election-related unrest."

Although Inslee did not specify the number of troops being deployed, he stated they would be available to assist law enforcement from Monday to Thursday. The Department of Homeland Security has also issued warnings about ongoing threats to election infrastructure, according to Inslee.

“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 to any potential additional civil unrest,” Inslee said.

Officials prepare for potential election day disruptions

In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek announced Friday that the National Guard is on standby as political leaders urge peaceful demonstrations, according to CNN affiliate KTVZ.

“The governor’s office is closely monitoring and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure Oregon voters can safely cast their ballots,” the statement read.

While there is "no current information to suggest unrest," Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged "a lot of uncertainty and tension in our community," as reported by KTVZ.

Oregon State Police are working with Portland law enforcement, alongside the Oregon Department of Emergency Management. Portland's unified command, which includes city police, will increase staffing on Tuesday "as a precaution," according to a news release.

In 2020, then-Oregon Governor Kate Brown also placed the National Guard on standby for 48 hours around Election Day, activating a unified command of state troopers, sheriff's deputies, and Portland police to manage protests, as noted by AP.

In recent years, the National Guard has been deployed in several states primarily to counter cybersecurity threats during elections. The Colorado National Guard’s Cyber Task Force has been activated this year to protect election "infrastructure," a practice in place since 2018, according to a statement from the Colorado Secretary of State's office.

In Nevada, Governor Joe Lombardo announced this week that 60 National Guard troops are on standby to ensure "a safe and smooth Election Day." He noted that this decision, which follows routine preparations from previous elections, was made after discussions with election officials and state leaders.

"It is one of many proactive steps the state is taking to ensure all possible resources are in place for a timely response to any challenges that arise,” Lombardo added.

It is worth noting that the activation is reportedly intended to support state and local efforts on Election Day.

In Washington, DC, preparations are also underway, with over 3,000 police officers scheduled for 12-hour shifts, Police Chief Pamela A. Smith announced during a news conference on Tuesday.

Nationwide security tightens

Across the United States, police chiefs are making unprecedented security plans for Election Day and the following weeks, a concern that has become more urgent since the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol, which disrupted the certification of the last presidential election.

Three major law enforcement organizations—the Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association, and the Major Cities Chiefs Association—issued a joint statement last month, revealing that authorities have been planning for the election for more than a year and a half. They also urged citizens to remain alert.

“As always, the associations encourage the public to speak up if they witness anything suspicious or unusual with election activities,” the statement read. “If you ‘See Something, Say Something,’ and allow law enforcement to investigate and determine the outcome of any suspicious circumstances or incidents.”

1 in 4 US citizens believe a civil war is likely post-elections: Poll

Almost 27% of US citizens fear a civil war outbreak following the elections, with both Harris and Trump's supporters expressing similar concerns, a recent YouGov poll revealed.

Six percent of poll takers said the possibility of a civil war breaking out post-elections was "very likely", while 21% stated that it would be "somewhat likely". The survey, conducted between October 18-21 for The Times and the SAY24 project, showed that similar percentages of supporters for both Trump and Harris believed that a civil war was at least somewhat likely.

Twelve percent of the 1,266 respondents indicated they know someone who might resort to violence if they felt Trump had been unfairly denied victory, while five percent said the same about Harris. The pollsters also inquired about gun ownership but found no links to perceptions of the likelihood of a civil war.

The poll exposed significant divisions in American society, with 84% of voters acknowledging that the country is more divided now than it was a decade ago.

After US President Joe Biden dropped out of the election race and endorsed Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee, the party experienced a "honeymoon phase" with voters, with polls indicating high chances of a Democratic win in November. However, more recent surveys show Trump leading the race and winning over key states, even within the margin of error.