WA State Governor activates National Guard to support public safety during 2024 election

November 1, 2024

Major General Gent Welsh
The Adjutant General
Washington Military Department
Building 1
Camp Murray, WA 98430-5000

Re: Activation of Washington National Guard assets to support public safety activities related to the 2024 Elections.

Dear Major General Welsh:

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 of the type described in RCW 38.08.040 occurring within Washington State leading up to, on, and potentially extending beyond November 5, 2024, the date of the 2024 general election.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that threats to election infrastructure during the 2024 election cycle remains high. The southwest region of Washington state has already experienced specific instances of election-related unrest. On October 28, 2024, an incendiary device was set off in a drop box in Vancouver, Washington, damaging or destroying hundreds of ballots, and a similar device targeted a ballot box in Portland, Oregon.