Mark Stiles

The anxiety in Seattle is palpable as the city and the rest of the nation prepares for what could be the nation's most dramatic presidential election.

It's not necessarily the outcome that will supply the drama but what might happen after vote totals start coming in Tuesday evening. Demonstrations for or against the results are likely, and that leaves places like Seattle on edge. The city has seen nightly protests since May and some have devolved into looting and other violence, with some proving fatal.

On Monday afternoon, Mayor Jenny Durkan's office said the Seattle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies in the region did not have any intelligence indicating any threats for Election Day or the days following.

In addition, the Mayor's Office said King County Elections have not reported any concerns or known security threats issues at any ballot drop boxes.

"As such, the Seattle Police Department, Seattle Fire Department, and other departments have been planning for contingency purposes only in order to be prepared for a wide range of scenarios," Durkan said in a statement.

"The mood in downtown is the mood that people are generally feeling across the city. Right now there is an air of uncertainty," said James Sido, spokesman for the Downtown Seattle Association. "No one knows truly what to expect."

Many downtown Seattle businesses have been boarded up since spring. On Sunday two workers were hanging new plywood on the exterior of the Chase bank branch at 1501 Fourth Ave. One worker said it was in preparation for Election Day.

“We are monitoring the situation closely and are prepared to close branches if necessary,” Chase spokeswoman Darcy Donahoe-Wilmot said in an email.

The city said it has vendors on standby in case they are needed to board up windows, repair or replace broken windows and remove graffiti on city-owned properties.

Durkan said the number of Covid-19 cases is surging in King County, so Seattle is encouraging people to stay in their neighborhoods "for a safe Election Day."

The Police Department has restricted time off for Election Day and the week following the election. In addition, department personnel have received additional demonstration management training leading up to Election Day.

"We obviously hope for a peaceful week," DSA's Sido said. "Our businesses and residents have endured a lot the last eight months or so, (and) hopefully events don’t present another set of hurdles to overcome."

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