Jeff Sayre, a maintenance specialist for Deschutes County, unlocks a ballot drop box while preparing the box to accept ballots outside the Deschutes Services Center on Oct. 18 in Bend. 

In Central Oregon and across the country, police agencies and others are preparing for the possibility of protests following Tuesday’s election.

Anxieties are natural the night before a presidential election — the results will determine the country’s political tone for the next four years, and this election cycle has been one highlighted by conflict and divisiveness.

Gov. Tina Kotek issued a statement Friday stating that she has put the National Guard on standby to address any potential civil unrest.

“Voter intimidation or any criminal act to undermine the upcoming election is un-American & will not be tolerated,” Kotek said.

Central Oregon agencies plan to monitor the aftermath of the election.

“Protest is a First Amendment right, so our agency doesn’t respond to protests unless someone calls to report crimes or violence. We have plans in place in case of election-related violence, but protest is protected and we support people’s right to do so peacefully,” said Sheila Miller, spokesperson for the Bend Police Department.

To Miller’s knowledge, no protesters have called to let the agency know of their plans, which she said sometimes they do as a courtesy to law enforcement; however, Bend Police are prepared for that to change based on the results of the election. Beginning Tuesday, there will be an active incident command post to monitor any issues that come up as the situation evolves.

In October 2020, Bend Police responded to a political protest at Pilot Butte that turned violent after a counterprotester allegedly tried to steal a flag from a pro-Trump rally. The ensuing chaos resulted in fistfights, a protester pepper spraying the crowd and Bend Police confiscating two handguns out of a vehicle. Miller said she also knows Bend Police have investigated calls about drivers “coal rolling” protesters. Coal rolling is when the diver of a diesel engine intentionally emits large amounts of darkened exhaust.

“We ask that people remain peaceful and that they don’t block streets and stay on sidewalks or in a designated space. Generally we always ask people to be respectful of the people and businesses around them — if people commit violence or destroy property, we will respond and deal with those issues,” Miller said.

Agency responses

Miller said that the Bend Police Department will be responsible for responding to any incidents in the city, but the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will respond to incidents at county buildings, for example the Deschutes County Clerk’s Office. Capt. Kyle Kennedy from Oregon State Police also said his agency is prepared, and that it is “adequately staffed and prepared to respond to any event.”

Deschutes County Sheriff candidate and patrol Capt. William Bailey issued a statement Sunday saying that the sheriff’s office does have a plan in place and urged anyone who sees or hears of something concerning to call the county’s nonemergency dispatch line. Capt. Paul Garrison, who is in charge of election-related issues at the sheriff’s office, did not respond to The Bulletin’s request for more information on what those plans entail.

Aside from protests, voter intimidation is something that the Deschutes County Clerk’s office has also thought about. Deschutes County Clerk Steve Dennison said people should feel secure casting their ballots even if someone suspicious is monitoring the ballot dropbox. If they still don’t feel comfortable, residents can always drop their ballots off at another location or inside the county clerk’s office.

“If there’s somebody standing nearby taking photos or standing nearby with a firearm, that’s perfectly legal. As counter-intuitive as it might sound, it is freedom of speech, freedom of expression. But if somebody doesn’t feel comfortable dropping a ballot in a drop box, drop it in another one,” Dennison said.

In Portland, the potential of election interference remains high, according to local authorities following an incident on Oct. 28 where a ballot box was set on fire. The Portland Police Bureau said the person responsible may make additional attempts.

Here’s what ballot security looks like from beginning to end in Deschutes County