**National Guard on Alert Amid Election-Related Tensions**

In anticipation of possible civil unrest surrounding Tuesday's presidential election, several states, including Washington and Oregon, have placed the National Guard on standby. This comes after a series of incidents where ballot drop boxes were set on fire, damaging or destroying hundreds of ballots, according to officials.

Most of the ballots destroyed by the fires were located in a drop box in Vancouver, Washington. A simultaneous incident occurred in Portland, Oregon, where a drop box fire left most ballots intact. Officials believe these events are related to a third fire on October 8 in Vancouver. Portland police have released a description of a suspect connected to these incidents but have yet to identify him.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced the National Guard's standby status in response to the ballot box fires, stating that the southwest region of Washington has already seen election-related disturbances. Though the number of troops to be activated on Tuesday remains undisclosed, Inslee confirmed their availability from Monday to Thursday. He also highlighted that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has flagged high threats to election infrastructure.

Similarly, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek stated that the National Guard is prepared, urging for peaceful protests. Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler acknowledged the anxiety and uncertainty within the community, although current information does not indicate imminent unrest. The Oregon State Police and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management are coordinating efforts to ensure voter safety, with Portland police increasing staffing as a precaution.

Recalling actions from the 2020 elections, former Oregon Governor Kate Brown had also put the National Guard on standby and activated a unified command to manage potential protests. In the current election cycle, states like Colorado and Nevada have taken proactive measures. Colorado National Guard’s Cyber Task Force is engaged in protecting election infrastructure, continuing a practice since 2018. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo announced the standby status of 60 National Guard troops to ensure a safe Election Day.

Preparations extend to Washington, DC, where more than 3,000 police officers will work prolonged shifts to ensure security. Law enforcement agencies across the nation have been meticulously planning for over a year to handle any challenges related to the election, particularly since the January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection. National law enforcement associations urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities during the election period.