National Guard monitors Snohomish County ballot boxes ahead of Tuesday vote

Seven counties are receiving extra security for ballot drop boxes, with the Washington National Guard assigned to monitor locations in Snohomish, Island, King, Pierce, Thurston, Clark, and Lewis counties.

Governor Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed the deployment on Friday. The move follows a letter Ferguson sent earlier this month to county auditors offering the Guard’s support as an “Election Neighborhood Watch.” Ferguson cited letters containing white powder received by officials, including the secretary of state, in recent days.

Snohomish County accepted the offer out of an abundance of caution, according to Sierra Cornelius, a spokesperson for the auditor’s office. She stated that the state-provided resources add an extra layer of support to existing security plans. The county declined to specify the number of soldiers assigned, citing operational details needed for personnel safety.

Soldiers will report to the Snohomish County auditor and remain unarmed in plainclothes. Their role is limited to watching ballot boxes during evening and overnight hours. They will not empty boxes, handle ballots, interact with voters, or act in an enforcement capacity.

If soldiers observe anything concerning, they will follow county procedures and call 911 so local law enforcement can respond, Cornelius said. The governor’s office pointed to a 2024 incident in Clark County where an incendiary device burned hundreds of ballots, prompting then-Gov. Jay Inslee to activate the Guard.

Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, noted that the National Guard has been activated for every election since 2016 to provide cybersecurity support. This increased physical monitoring coincides with election officials encouraging voters to use drop boxes before Tuesday’s election.

The secretary of state’s office issued a statement on Friday saying that using a ballot box is the best way to ensure a ballot is received on time. Ballots mailed less than a week before Election Day may not be postmarked on time. A map of Snohomish County drop boxes is available at snohomishcountywa.gov/5726/Find-a-Ballot-Drop-Box.