City of Seattle makes preparations for safety ahead of election night
Nov 2, 2020, 5:23 PM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:17 am
The Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, and other local law enforcement agencies have been planning for a “wide range of scenarios” that could take place on election night.
As of the afternoon of Nov. 2, however, the Mayor’s Office reports that there has been no intelligence to indicate that there are any specific threats for Election Day or the days following. King County Elections have also not reported concerns or known security threat issues at any drop boxes.
The city says its “goal is to protect residents’ sacred right to vote and ensure their vote is counted.”
“Voting is one of our greatest rights and duties as Americans, and Election Day is an opportunity for us to shape the future of our communities. We’re in the midst of a global public health crisis and an election cycle that has perpetuated fear, anxiety, and uncertainty for so many of us, both here in Seattle and across our country. Today and every day, it’s important to remember that Seattle and King County have a long history of leading the country in safe and secure elections. We will ensure every vote will be counted in the coming days, and we are prepared,” Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said.
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King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht told the Jason Rantz Show on KTTH that the Sheriff’s Office has been preparing for anything.
“I think everybody is preparing for any events that might happen, and so we want to make sure that we have thought of public safety first,” she said. “And at the sheriff’s office, we’re prepared for staffing up and having a command post, and preparation for anything that might happen.”
Johanknecht says they are also prepared to help suburban areas if needed, but at this point does not have “any information of unrest.”
The release from the Mayor’s Office says that as of Monday, nearly 80% of Seattle residents have voted. All ballots must be returned to a ballot drop box or postmarked by 8 p.m. on Election Day.
MyNorthwest will be providing live coverage of the local and national races on Election Day, with insight from KIRO Radio’s Dave Ross, Colleen O’Brien, Dori Monson, and more.
