Washington Sends National Guard to Ballot Boxes — Plainclothes, Unarmed, Observers Only
As reported on October 24, 2026, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has written to county election auditors statewide offering National Guard assistance to protect voting infrastructure during the midterm elections. According to FOX 13 Seattle, Guard members will appear at ballot drop boxes and voting centers in plainclothes and unarmed, strictly as observers: they will not empty ballot boxes, handle ballots or interact with voters.
Several county election offices have already accepted the assistance, including Clark, King, Pierce, Thurston and Snohomish counties. The governor's decision follows a series of suspicious letters containing white powder recently mailed to election-related agencies, including the Secretary of State's office, and to congressional offices. Two years ago, a ballot box in Vancouver was set on fire, destroying hundreds of ballots, and the then-governor also mobilized the National Guard for election security.
Ferguson said the observers are meant to let voters cast ballots with peace of mind and ensure every ballot's safety. As the November 3 election approaches, Washington's election-security measures are drawing national attention.
Source: GSM News
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 太空针塔（西雅图）。图片经 Wikimedia Commons。 Space Needle, Seattle. Via Wikimedia Commons.
