15 states have mobilised National Guard personnel for Election Day, officials say
More than 250 National Guard personnel are providing Election Day support in 15 states, a spokesperson told CNN.
According to the spokesperson, personnel has been mobilised in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin and West Virginia.
A little less than half of the troops are assisting with cybersecurity missions, the spokesperson said in a statement. The rest are providing support based on local requests. Additionally, the National Guard Bureau said about 85 members are on standby in Colorado, Washington DC, Florida and Nevada.
Over the weekend, ahead of potential civil unrest due to the presidential election, the National Guard said it was on standby as a precaution in several states, including Washington and Oregon, where hundreds of ballots were damaged or destroyed after officials said at least three ballot drop boxes were recently set on fire.