In a disturbing turn of events, two ballot drop boxes in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area were deliberately set ablaze early Monday morning. This brazen act, which has sparked a full-fledged FBI investigation, destroyed hundreds of ballots in Vancouver, Washington, a city just across the state line from Portland.
Reports indicate that an incendiary device was affixed to the exterior of the Vancouver drop box, resulting in the destruction of numerous ballots. Meanwhile, in southeast Portland, a separate incident saw an explosive device placed inside a drop box, causing a fire that damaged three ballots. Authorities have confirmed a connection between these two incidents, noting similarities to a previous, unsuccessful attempt to torch another Vancouver ballot drop box on October 8th.
The targeted attacks on these secure ballot receptacles raise serious concerns about election integrity and voter disenfranchisement. These drop boxes serve as vital tools across many US states and cities, enabling voters to conveniently submit their ballots ahead of Election Day.
Back in September, the US Department of Homeland Security had issued a warning, highlighting the concerning trend of social media activity encouraging the destruction and sabotage of these drop boxes before the election.
Following the incident in Vancouver, local officials are urging voters who deposited ballots since the last pickup on Saturday morning to contact the elections office immediately. Greg Kimsey, the official overseeing elections in Clark County, Washington, assured the public that the damaged box has been replaced and that authorities are working diligently to salvage as many burnt ballots as possible. He also announced increased police patrols around ballot drop boxes to deter further attacks.
“We sincerely hope these incidents are isolated and will not recur,” Kimsey emphasized.
In Portland, authorities are reaching out directly to the three voters whose ballots were damaged in the blaze, aiming to reissue their ballots promptly.
Police have released images of a dark-colored Volvo believed to be linked to the incidents and are actively seeking the public’s help in identifying those responsible.
While Oregon and Washington are typically considered safe Democratic states in presidential elections, a fiercely contested congressional race in Vancouver is adding another layer of tension to the situation. This district, which includes Vancouver and a large, predominantly rural swathe of southern Washington, is currently held by Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who narrowly defeated Republican Joe Kent by less than 1% in the 2022 election. The two are set for a rematch in the upcoming election.
As authorities continue their investigation, the motive behind these attacks remains unclear. Washington’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, has condemned the acts, vowing to protect election workers and the integrity of the democratic process. This incident follows another disturbing case in Phoenix, Arizona, where a man was charged with setting fire to a USPS mailbox containing approximately 20 ballots. While he claimed his actions weren’t politically motivated, the incident underscores the vulnerability of election infrastructure.
The attacks on ballot drop boxes in both Oregon and Arizona serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of democratic processes and the urgent need to protect them.
With reporting by Sam Cabral