Washington Guard: Unarmed soldiers watch Snohomish ballot boxes

Unarmed Washington National Guard soldiers are standing watch over ballot drop boxes in Snohomish County. Governor Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed on Friday that the Guard is monitoring boxes in seven counties, including Snohomish, King, and Pierce.

Ferguson offered the support in a letter to all state county auditors earlier this month. He described the effort as an Election Neighborhood Watch. The governor cited recent letters containing white powder sent to several officials, including the secretary of state, as a reason for the added precaution.

Ferguson also referenced a 2024 incident in Clark County where an incendiary device burned hundreds of ballots. Former Governor Jay Inslee activated the Guard after that event. Snohomish County Auditor’s spokesperson Sierra Cornelius said the county accepted the offer out of an abundance of caution.

The Guard will report directly to the Snohomish County auditor. Soldiers will remain in plainclothes and work in a limited capacity. They will observe boxes during evening and overnight hours. They will not handle ballots, empty boxes, interact with voters, or enforce rules.

Cornelius stated that the Guard will follow county procedures if they spot anything concerning. They will call 911 so local law enforcement can respond. The county and governor’s office declined to say how many soldiers are assigned to Snohomish County. They cited operational safety reasons for keeping the number specific.

Brionna Aho, a spokesperson for the governor’s office, noted that the Guard has provided cybersecurity support for every state election since 2016. The current monitoring adds a physical presence to those existing digital efforts.

Election officials are urging voters to use drop boxes to turn in ballots before Tuesday’s election. The secretary of state’s office issued a statement on Friday recommending this method. It noted that ballots mailed less than a week before Election Day might not receive a postmark in time. A map of Snohomish County drop boxes is available online.