1,000 Members of Massachusetts National Guard Activated Ahead of Election Day

1,000 Members of Massachusetts National Guard Activated Ahead of Election Day
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker speaks at a press conference in Boston, Massachusetts, on March 13, 2020. Scott Eisen/Getty Images
Updated:

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday signed an executive order to activate up to 1,000 members of the Massachusetts National Guard ahead of Election Day “to maintain public safety following Tuesday’s election.”

Baker’s office said in an announcement that similar orders have been issued in recent months to “maintain public safety or protect opportunities to exercise first amendment rights during large scale events,” but they have not required any National Guard members.