A series of incendiary fires targeted ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, early on Monday, leading to the destruction of hundreds of ballots in Vancouver.
According to the Associated Press, authorities in both cities are investigating these attacks, which threaten the security of mail-in voting systems in states heavily reliant on such methods.
In Portland, the Portland Police Bureau responded to a fire at a ballot drop box around 3:30 a.m. An incendiary device had been placed inside, but the internal fire prevention system safeguarded nearly all of the ballots, with only three sustaining damage, said Tim Scott, Multnomah County Elections Director. Affected voters will be contacted to receive replacement ballots.
In a subsequent incident, a ballot drop box at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver was reported aflame a few hours after the Portland fire. Television footage showed smoke emanating from the box, confirming the severity of the incident. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey noted that despite having a fire suppression system, hundreds of ballots were still destroyed.
The last collection from the affected Vancouver drop box occurred at 11 a.m. on Saturday. Voters who submitted ballots after that time are encouraged to reach out to the auditor’s office for replacements.
Kimsey expressed the gravity of the situation, calling it “heartbreaking” and labeling it a “direct attack on democracy.” He also mentioned plans to increase the frequency of ballot collections and shift collection times to the evening to enhance security.
Earlier in October, another device was found near a ballot drop box in downtown Vancouver. Fortunately, this earlier incident caused no harm to the ballots or the drop box. The FBI, among other agencies, is involved in the investigation of these incidents to identify those responsible.
Both Washington and Oregon utilize a vote-by-mail system, promoting the use of mail or drop boxes for ballot submission. The integrity of these systems has been thrown into question following these attacks.
A similar arson attempt was noted last week in Phoenix, Arizona, where a fire at a U.S. Postal Service station destroyed about five ballots. This raises concerns about whether these attacks are isolated incidents or part of a larger trend.
The occurrences in both Portland and Vancouver have heightened concerns about electoral security, particularly in states where voting by mail is the standard. Investigators are working diligently to uncover the motives and individuals behind these arson attacks.
By deploying incendiary devices, perpetrators put the integrity of the election process at risk, leading to voter disenfranchisement and public unease. Efforts to secure and protect ballot collection points are becoming a key focus for election officials in the aftermath of these events.
In response to these attempts to disrupt the electoral process, election officials are reassessing procedures and security measures. The importance of ensuring all votes are counted and protected is underscored by these deeply concerning attacks.
Incendiary fires targeted ballot drop boxes in Portland and Vancouver, endangering mail-in ballot security critical to these states. Portland's fire suppression system proved effective, damaging only three ballots, while Vancouver saw hundreds destroyed due to system failure. Authorities and election officials are pushing for increased security and adjusted ballot collection practices, working with federal agencies like the FBI to investigate these threats to democratic participation.
