Nevada activates National Guard ahead of contentious election

Although they are presumably not going to be needed, Nevada is asking a 60 National Guard troops to be at the ready for Election Day.

“After consulting with stakeholders across the state, I have decided that a precautionary activation of the National Guard makes sense at this time. We do not expect that these personnel will need to be deployed,” Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a statement last week.

“As a first responder, I know first-hand the importance of being prepared, and this decision reflects my commitment to safety and preparedness on Election Day. As always, I am deeply grateful to the men and women of our National Guard, and I appreciate their service to our state and country," he added.

The decision is meant to supplement typical election security measures conducted by local and state authorities. Specifically, the news release from the governor's office cites any potential weather risks in the state could allow the guard to step in in order to help local law enforcement. In addition, they could help with other more immediate security concerns.

According to the release, the soldiers will be based out of Carson City, the state capital, and Las Vegas, the state's largest city in the politically competitive Clark County.

“I share Governor Lombardo’s commitment to safety, preparedness, and transparency,” Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar said in a statement. “This proactive decision helps ensure that we’ve made the most of our available resources across Nevada. Our election officials and law enforcement leaders have been preparing for the November 5 election for years. This frees up their resources on Election Day so they can focus on delivering a safe and secure election.”