A governor activates the National Guard before the election. A court rejects a request from Republicans. All information in the news blog.
8:49 a.m.: The US city of Portland in the state of Oregon has prepared for possible protests a few days before the US presidential election. As a precaution, numerous shops in the city center had their shop windows secured with boards. As the US news portal KOIN reports, some business owners fear renewed riots after the sometimes violent protests following the 2016 and 2020 elections. Shops in downtown Portland were particularly affected at the time, with their windows damaged and goods looted.
Some operators want to take preventive measures this year, such as deploying security services and removing valuable goods from displays on the eve of election day. Andrew Wegman, owner of the Hunny Beez store, told KOIN that he recently had specially reinforced safety glass windows installed in hopes that they would deter potential vandalism.
4.45 a.m.: The Republican presidential candidate had to cover up a mishap during his appearance in front of supporters in Milwaukee. Apparently the microphone was broken. Trump took it in his right hand and pushed it up and down. Then he leaned his head forward, opened his mouth and pushed his head back and forth. Footage of this quickly made the rounds on social networks. “What the hell is he doing there?” asked a user of the X platform. American journalist Steve Herman wrote: “Some would call this a simulation of a sexual act.” The first parodies appeared quite quickly, replacing the microphone with a drawn penis. “Donald can’t stop fantasizing about Arnold Palmer naked,” wrote another user, alluding to statements Trump made about the golfer’s genitals at another event.
1:33 a.m.: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee activated National Guard troops on Friday to be on standby during election week, his office said. This is a precautionary measure in response to a nationwide Homeland Security warning about threats to election infrastructure, as well as the recent arson attack on a ballot box in Vancouver.
The Guard is to be on standby for four days, beginning Monday until after midnight on Thursday, November 7, 2024. “Due to general and specific information and concerns regarding the potential for violence or other unlawful activity in connection with the 2024 general election, I would like ensure we are fully prepared to respond to any potential additional unrest,” Inslee wrote.
1.20 a.m.: The US Supreme Court has stopped an attempt by Republicans to change the rules for voting in the potentially decisive state of Pennsylvania shortly before the presidential election. The justices rejected a motion seeking to not count certain provisional ballots in the state. These ballot papers are used when there is doubt about a person’s eligibility to vote. They are kept separately and only counted after verification.
