Soldiers Ready as U. S. Prepares for Contentious Election Day

As the 2024 U. S. presidential election approaches, many states have put their National Guard troops on standby or activated them. Around 18 states and Washington, D. C. , have taken this step, making a total of nearly 800 service members ready for duty. These soldiers include cyber specialists and civil support teams, but no specific orders have been given for military law enforcement involvement. The election between Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump has been marked by tension, with intelligence agencies warning of possible violence.This fear stems from conspiracy theories about election fraud. The Pentagon's top spokesman, Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, stated that these activations are a routine practice for events like Election Day and Inauguration Day. Governors from states like Washington, Nevada, and Oregon have issued statements about the preparations. Washington activated its Guard after an incendiary device damaged ballots, while Nevada, a swing state, also prepared its troops. The governors emphasized that intimidation and violence would not be tolerated.