The National Guard has been put on standby in some states because of a fear of election-related violence, including some states that had riots related to Black Lives Matter in 2020. 

Washingon Governor Jay Inslee (D) said on Friday that he wants some National Guard soldiers to be ready from Monday to Thursday of election week as a "precaution" and to assist law enforcement after election drop boxes were torched in both Oregon and Washington.

“The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that threats to election infrastructure during the 2024 election cycle remains high,” Inslee wrote to the National Guard.

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) has also activated some Guard personnel. Portland, Oregon had the most long-lasting and damaging rioting in 2020.

Not just Democrats

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler (D) said on a local news station that no current information suggests unrest,” but said “there is a lot of uncertainty [and] tension in our community.”

Democrat-run states are not the only ones that have sought to use the National Guard if the need arises.

Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has 60 Guard members prepared to step in if unrest breaks out.

“This decision, which mirrors the state’s routine preparation for past elections, was made after consultation with election officials and state leaders. It is one of many proactive steps the state is taking to ensure all possible resources are in place for a timely response to any challenges that arise,” Lombardo said.

Police and Secret Service

Washington, D.C. has 3,000 police officers taking rotating shifts on Election Day to prevent any trouble.

The fences around buildings in the Capitol are the responsibility of the Secret Service, which is operating in several different areas.

“The Secret Service is working closely with federal, state and local partners in Washington, DC and Palm Beach County, Florida to ensure heightened levels of Election Day safety and security,” the agency said in a statement Sunday. “These enhancements are not in response to any specific issue but are part of wide ranging public safety preparations for Tuesday’s election.”

According to Axios, some of the fear comes from the way Republican voters have been encouraged to dispute results they see as illegitimate.

But there is also the risk that Democrats will be frustrated if Trump wins.

Election offices have had bulletproof glass installed, and election workers are getting de-escalation training to cope with the possibility of problems, Axios said.