Island County Adds Guard to Watch Six Ballot Boxes

Island County will place National Guard personnel at its ballot drop boxes starting late this week. County Auditor Sheilah Crider confirmed on Friday that the local government accepted the offer from Gov. Bob Ferguson to add observers to the election security plan.

The move comes as voters prepare for the general election scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3. The Guard members will serve as observers rather than enforcement officers. They will not wear uniforms and will report directly to the county auditor. Their primary task is to watch the drop boxes overnight and report any suspicious activity.

Crider stated that the decision followed careful consideration. She described the addition of Guard personnel as a way to add support to existing security measures. The goal is to ensure a safe and secure election process for Island County residents.

The operation has strict limits. Guard members will not empty the boxes or handle ballots. They will not interact with voters or act in any law enforcement capacity. If they see something concerning, they will follow county procedures and call 911 to alert local police.

Island County Commissioner Melanie Bacon supported the decision. She noted that the commissioners value safe and transparent elections. Bacon said she backed Crider’s choice to use Guard personnel to monitor the drop boxes overnight.

The governor extended the offer to all county auditors in Washington. He cited concerns about election security, including an incident in Vancouver, Washington, during the 2024 general election where a ballot drop box was set on fire. That event destroyed hundreds of ballots. Ferguson also referenced mailings containing suspicious white powder sent to state officials.

Island County also had a ballot-related incident in 2024. A bicyclist found 32 unopened ballots on a road in Oak Harbor. Officials determined the ballots were outgoing mail for voters and issued replacements. That incident did not involve a drop box.

As of Tuesday, seven Washington counties have accepted the assistance. Along with Island County, these are Clark, King, Lewis, Pierce, Snohomish and Thurston counties. The Guard personnel will remain under state control and will not have federal command. They will not have law enforcement powers.

It is unclear when monitoring will begin in Island County or how many Guard members will participate. The auditor’s statement did not specify which of the six official drop boxes will be watched. The boxes are located in Coupeville, Oak Harbor, Freeland, Clinton, Langley and on Camano Island.

Voters in Island County must sign their ballot return envelopes. They must deposit ballots in an official drop box no later than 8 p.m. on election day.