PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5, leaders in the Pacific Northwest are preparing for potential public safety concerns.

In Washington, Gov. Jay Inslee announced on Friday he's activating some National Guard members to be on stand-by in the event local law enforcement and the Washington State Patrol needs support during the week of the election.

It is not clear how many members of the National Guard will be on stand-by; however, the governor’s office said Inslee gave Adjutant General Gent Welsh the authority to determine how many members will be activated.

Inslee’s office said the decision to activate the National Guard was in light of warnings from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about the potential for threats to election infrastructure nationwide and after ballot box fires in Portland and Vancouver on Oct. 28.

“This is a purely precautionary measure taken in response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s nationwide warnings regarding threats to election infrastructure and other recent activities that have occurred in southwestern Washington,” a Nov. 1 press release from Inslee’s office said.

The National Guard will be on stand-by in Washington Nov. 4 through Nov. 7.

Joseph Siemandel, the state public affairs officer for the Washington National Guard told KOIN 6 News the move by the governor was "precautionary" in case their support is quickly needed.

"We are always planning and preparing for possible threats - it's the prudent thing to do," Siemandel said. "We do the same for fire season, approaching winter weather, etc."

Washington is not the only state with the National Guard on stand-by in light of the Homeland Security warnings. As reported by CNN, Nevada has 60 National Guard troops on stand-by for Election Day.

In Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek’s office told KOIN 6 News on Monday she has not activated the Oregon National Guard, noting, “The Governor’s office is closely monitoring and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to ensure Oregon voters can safely cast their ballot.”

If the Oregon National Guard is activated, the governor’s office said the number of troops and their roles would depend on the needs requested by law enforcement.

“In the lead-up to the election, the Governor has asserted voter intimidation or any criminal act to undermine the upcoming election or threaten public safety is un-American and will not be tolerated,” Kotek’s office said, pointing to a letter Kotek signed with other elected officials calling for “respectful civic participation.”

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, the Oregon Military Department said while the National Guard is not on stand-by, they are ready to support law enforcement if asked.

"We are not on standby at this time. However, we are trained and ready to support if and when the need should arise upon request through the incident command system. The Oregon National Guard is the military service of choice for Oregonians as we all live and reside in communities across the state we support," said Lt. Col. Stephen Bomar, director of public affairs with the Oregon Military Department.

Officials added that the Oregon Department of Emergency Management is working with tribal, state, local, and federal agencies ahead of Election Day, noting all coordinated agencies “are in a heightened state of readiness to respond to any potential disruptions.”