National Guard members will have election-related roles in at least seven states
Guard members will have roles in at least seven states in Tuesday’s midterms, The Hill reported. In Washington, plainclothes troops will monitor ballot boxes in seven counties; about 100 troops are involved overall. Iowa guardsmen will monitor and defend election networks, and Colorado Guard members will assist with cybersecurity. Federal law generally bars armed personnel at election sites.
More context
National Guard members will have election-related roles in at least seven states around Tuesday’s midterm elections. The Hill reported that seven states have publicly acknowledged Guard involvement. In Washington state, plainclothes Guard soldiers are set to help monitor ballot boxes in seven counties that accepted an “Election Neighborhood Watch” offer from Gov. Bob Ferguson last month. About 100 troops are expected to take part. Iowa guardsmen are tasked with monitoring and defending election networks, while Colorado Guard members will assist with election cybersecurity. Federal law generally bars armed personnel from being stationed where an election is being held, except when a polling location is under attack and federal force is needed. Governors have increasingly called on their National Guard units for election-related support: at least 14 states did so in 2022 and 15 in 2024.
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Verifier’s note
The Hill directly reports that National Guard members will have election-related roles in at least seven states. KIOWA County Press reports Washington’s ballot-box deployment, but not the broader claim about roles across at least seven states.