Governor activates National Guard to support law enforcement on Election Day
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Tue, 10/29/2024 - 7:06am
Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo announced that Monday that in preparation for a safe and smooth Election Day, he will activate a limited contingent of National Guard personnel to be available on Election Day. The activation will be limited to supporting state and local resources on November 5, 2024.
This decision, which mirrors the state’s routine preparation for past elections, was made after consultation with election officials and state leaders. It is one of many proactive steps the state is taking to ensure all possible resources are in place for a timely response to any challenges that arise. For example, a major weather event on top of elections could pose significant demands on public safety personnel, which the National Guard would then be in a position to help alleviate.
Pursuant to procedure, 60 total members of the National Guard will be activated on standby status and stationed in Nevada National Guard facilities in both Carson City and Las Vegas. They will be available to support existing law enforcement preparations for Election Day on things like traffic enforcement and building security, and to coordinate and facilitate communication across the state if additional support is needed.
This is one more way Nevada officials are preparing to ensure a smooth, secure, and safe election for the people of Nevada in 2024.
“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,” said Governor Joe Lombardo. “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.”
“I share Governor Lombardo’s commitment to safety, preparedness, and transparency,” said Secretary of State Francisco V. Aguilar. “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.”
