Washington State Governor Jay Inslee has activated National Guard members to be on high alert following reports of potential election-related violence ahead of the 2024 presidential election.
Concerns for Potential Violence
Inslee’s decision comes after ballot drop boxes in Washington and one other state were set on fire earlier this week, raising concerns about the security of voting processes, according to Digi24.
“Based on both general and specific information, as well as concerns about the potential for violence or other illegal activities associated with the 2024 general election, I want to ensure that we are fully prepared to respond,” Inslee wrote in a public letter.
The incident he referred to involved an incendiary device that damaged or destroyed hundreds of ballots in Vancouver, Washington, intensifying fears about election interference and security.
Favor Kamala Harris
Washington State, which leans Democratic, is expected to favor Kamala Harris in her bid for the presidency against Republican Donald Trump.
Harris, the Democratic Vice President under Joe Biden, is running on a platform that emphasizes the protection of democratic processes, reproductive rights, and economic policies aimed at the middle class.
Trump, who previously served as President from 2017 to 2021, is campaigning on issues like border security, foreign policy, and economic deregulation, appealing to a strong conservative base.
Both parties have acknowledged the heightened tensions and divisiveness surrounding the upcoming election.
The Department of Homeland Security has warned that the country could see increased threats of violence as the election draws closer, particularly targeting voting sites and election infrastructure.
