National Guard keeping extra eye on ballot boxes in Snohomish County

Published 3:17 pm Friday, October 30, 2026

EVERETT — The Washington National Guard is monitoring ballot drop boxes in Snohomish County and six other counties, Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office confirmed Friday.

Earlier this month, Ferguson sent a letter to all county auditors in the state offering National Guard support to serve as an “Election Neighborhood Watch.” He said that “in recent days,” several officials — including the secretary of state — have received letters containing white powder.

“Amid these recent developments and the highly charged atmosphere of this election, my administration is taking every precaution to ensure that every vote counts and that counties have the resources they need to monitor and respond to potential threats,” the letter said.

Ferguson also pointed to an incident that occurred in 2024, when hundreds of ballots were burned by an incendiary device at a Clark County ballot box. After that incident, then Gov. Jay Inslee activated the National Guard.

Snohomish County accepted the governor’s offer this month “out of an abundance of caution,” auditor’s office spokesperson Sierra Cornelius said in an email Friday.

“These state-provided resources will add an extra layer of support to strengthen our existing security and operational plans to ensure a safe and secure election,” she said.

National Guard soldiers will report to the Snohomish County auditor, Cornelius said. They will be unarmed and in plainclothes and assist in a “limited capacity” by watching ballot boxes during the evening and overnight. Soldiers will not empty boxes, handle ballots, interact with voters or act in an enforcement capacity, she added.

“If they see anything concerning, they will follow county-established procedures and call 911 so local law enforcement can respond,” Cornelius said.

The county and governor’s office declined to state how many soldiers will be in Snohomish County, saying they weren’t able to share specific operational details for the safety and security of National Guard personnel.

The National Guard is also monitoring boxes in Island, King, Pierce, Thurston, Clark and Lewis counties.

The Washington National Guard is routinely involved in state election security, said Brionna Aho, spokesperson for the governor’s office. Since 2016, the guard has been activated for every election to provide cybersecurity support.