Plywood window coverings have blanketed high-end shopping areas of big U.S. cities ahead of Tuesday's election.

It's an eerie sight in a country built on the idea of a peaceful transition of power. In fact, that kind of signal is exactly why city authorities have generally advised business owners not to board up, promising stepped-up security measures.

Still, plywood panels are dotting major streets in Boston and New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, Chicago and Washington, D.C. Store owners are on edge from break-ins during the summer, when looters took advantage of a nationwide wave of civil unrest following the police killing of George Floyd.

In the nation's capital, some new boards went up alongside some old ones on storefronts that have remained boarded for months now, many sprouting murals, memorials and graffiti art.

The District of Columbia's guidance for businesses did not recommend boarding up for the election, and city authorities said they were not aware of any credible threats of violence as of late last week.

"While we intend to remain open where possible, out of an abundance of caution the windows of select stores in key cities will be boarded in anticipation of potential election related activity," luxury retailer Tiffany said in a statement to NPR.

Gov. Charlie Baker signed an executive order Monday to activate up to 1,000 Massachusetts National Guard members available this week in case of unrest surrounding the Nov. 3 presidential election.

The Republican governor has activated the Guard before as people protested the death of Black people at the hands of police in high-profile incidents around the United States. Guard members remained on standby but were not needed to respond to unrest.

"There is no indication of any public safety risk in Massachusetts. Just as the Administration does for all major events, we have made additional resources available should local leaders request them,” said Thomas Turco, secretary of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security.

Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason said he is not aware of any specific or credible threat to election sites.

The executive order comes as state officials are trying to safeguard the voting process at polling places across the state. An officer is posted at each polling place in case anyone tries to interfere with voters, Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said Monday during a news briefing. He also noted state law bars anyone from engaging in political activity within 150 feet of the polling place.

“All in all, I think you can expect an orderly day," he said.

Galvin projections more than 1.3 million voters will come out on Election Day, likely bringing the state’s total turnout to 3.6 million. By comparison, the record for highest turnout in Massachusetts is 3.3 million votes, a record set during the 2016 election.

More than 2.3 million voters have already cast their ballots either in person or through mail-in voting. The state registered more voters and saw the number of inactive voters decline, Galvin said.

BOSTON —
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker on Monday announced several executive orders in response to the surging number of new COVID-19 cases.

He called the orders “targeted interventions.”

Baker’s orders include a change to the statewide mask order. Under the altered order, masks will be required for anyone in any public space, indoor or outdoor, regardless of the ability to maintain social distancing.

That order, and the others, will take effect at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

"We want to do everything in our power to avoid reverting to phase one or phase two of our reopening plan," Baker said. "But that requires us all to step up and make some changes."

Baker announced an overnight stay at home advisory, resembling a curfew, from 10 p.m. through 5 a.m. It will allow activities such as commuting to or from work, running essential errands and talking a walk.

Gathering limits at private residences across Massachusetts will be reduced, Baker said. Indoor gatherings at private residences will be reduced from 25 to 10, and outdoor events will be reduced from 50 to 25.

"Young people need to stop having big house parties, and we're planning to talk to local officials about how we can work with them to prevent these events going forward. Folks need to postpone or rethink any indoor get-togethers, like big birthday parties, baby showers or watching football or some other big sports event with your neighbors. These are places where COVID spreads, unregulated gatherings, even if they're small, where people let down their guard, " Baker said.