Washington National Guard Deploys Unarmed Troops to Watch Snohomish County Ballot Boxes

Washington National Guard personnel are monitoring ballot drop boxes in Snohomish County and six other counties as part of a precautionary measure ahead of Tuesday's election. Governor Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed the deployment on Friday, stating that the troops are serving as an "Election Neighborhood Watch." The decision follows a letter Ferguson sent to county auditors earlier in October, in which he offered the guard's support. He cited "recent days" of activity where several officials, including the secretary of state, received letters containing white powder. Ferguson noted that the administration is taking precautions to ensure votes are counted and counties have resources to monitor potential threats.

The proposal also referenced a 2024 incident in Clark County, where an incendiary device burned hundreds of ballots. Following that event, then-Gov. Jay Inslee activated the National Guard. Snohomish County accepted the offer this month out of an abundance of caution, according to Sierra Cornelius, a spokesperson for the auditor’s office. Cornelius stated in an email that the state-provided resources add a layer of support to existing security plans to ensure a safe election.

Soldiers reporting to the Snohomish County auditor will be unarmed and dressed in plainclothes. They will assist in a limited capacity by observing ballot boxes during evening and overnight hours. The troops will not empty boxes, handle ballots, interact with voters, or act in an enforcement capacity. Cornelius explained that if soldiers observe anything concerning, they will follow county procedures and call 911 so local law enforcement can respond. The county and the governor’s office declined to specify the number of soldiers assigned to Snohomish County, citing operational details necessary for personnel safety.

The National Guard is simultaneously monitoring ballot boxes in Island, King, Pierce, Thurston, Clark, and Lewis counties. Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, noted that the guard is routinely involved in state election security. Since 2016, the unit has been activated for every election to provide cybersecurity support. This increased monitoring coincides with election officials urging voters to use ballot drop boxes to submit ballots ahead of Tuesday.

The secretary of state’s office issued a statement on Friday recommending ballot boxes as the best method for ensuring timely receipt of ballots. The statement warned that ballots mailed less than a week before Election Day may not be postmarked on time. A map of drop boxes in Snohomish County is available at snohomishcountywa.gov/5726/Find-a-Ballot-Drop-Box.