WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – With Election Day approaching, Whatcom County officials are taking steps to bolster local election security.

Gov. Bob Ferguson sent a letter to all county election auditors offering up National Guard troops to monitor ballot boxes.

Whatcom County Auditor Stacy Henthorn did not disclose to My Bellingham Now how she responded to the governor’s letter, but reiterated that she has complete confidence in the integrity of safe elections locally.

Henthorn also says she sent letters to Whatcom County cities asking police departments and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office to be aware of drop box locations and encouraged extra drive-bys leading up to Election Day.

Meanwhile, KOMO reports King, Pierce, Thurston, Clark and Snohomish counties have all accepted the governor’s offer of National Guard help. Ferguson said in his letter that the troops will be unarmed, not in uniform and not interacting with voters dropping off their ballots, only acting to alert local authorities in the event of any issues.

The Department of Justice is also sending election monitors to various counties, including King County.

It comes after letters containing white powder were sent to the Washington Secretary of State earlier this month and a ballot drop box was set on fire in Vancouver, WA in 2024.

Ballots are due in an official drop box by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Henthorn is recommending residents to use a drop box, but if they need to use the mail, she recommends going in-person to the post office and having them postmark it at the counter to ensure it’s postmarked on time.

The auditor’s office will also be open extra hours, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31, for anyone who wants to register to vote or pick up a ballot. The deadline has passed to register to vote online.

So far, just over 27% of ballots have been returned as of Tuesday evening, Oct. 27.