Updated Nov. 4, 2026: The Nov. 3 voting deadline has passed. The observer details below reflect pre-election announcements; the tracking section now explains how to check a returned ballot.
Officials announced a limited National Guard observer role at ballot drop boxes in Snohomish and Island counties ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
The two counties were among seven scheduled to receive Guard personnel, Jerry Cornfield of Washington State Standard reported Oct. 30. Members were to be unarmed and in civilian clothes, with concerns referred to local authorities.
Island County confirmed its participation in a separate Oct. 30 release. The auditor’s office said it accepted the governor’s offer as an added precaution supporting existing election security and operations.
The announced observer role
Island County’s announcement said Guard personnel would report to the county auditor and watch drop boxes overnight. The county said they would not empty the boxes, handle ballots, interact with voters or carry out enforcement. Concerns would be handled under county procedures, with 911 calls for a law-enforcement response.
Ballot collection and processing remained the responsibility of elections staff under the plan. Snohomish County describes trained elections workers collecting ballots from official boxes and taking them directly for processing.
According to the Standard, the statewide mission was scheduled to end at 12:01 a.m. Nov. 10.
Track your ballot
The Nov. 3 voting deadline has passed. Check your returned ballot’s status at VoteWA.gov. Snohomish County’s tracking guide explains ballot-status messages. Island County voters can also consult the county’s signature and ballot-status guidance. If your county flags a signature issue, follow the instructions in its notice.
Sources: Island County Auditor’s Oct. 30 release; Jerry Cornfield’s Washington State Standard report; Snohomish County Elections. Original Justabouts summary, checked Oct. 30, 2026.
