Two ballot drop boxes were set on fire just a week ahead of Election Day in the states of Washington and Oregon, leading authorities to be on high alert for possible incidents of violence driven by claims of election fraud. In Portland, three ballots out of hundreds were damaged, while in Vancouver, hundreds of ballots were thought to be impacted, though the exact number would not be known until later. Fire suppression devices in the Portland box were able to extinguish the flames caused by an incendiary device, but those in the Vancouver box did not work as effectively.
Authorities are working to determine the next steps for voters whose ballots may have been lost in the fires. Election officials in both states keep track of every ballot sent and received, so voters can check online to see if their ballot has been received. Voters in Vancouver who returned ballots to the affected dropbox have been advised to check their status on votewa.gov. Officials are saddened by the incident, calling it an attack on American democracy, but are working to ensure that every vote counts and that undamaged ballots are processed and secured.
The FBI is leading the investigation into the incidents of ballot box fires, coordinating with federal, state, and local partners to determine responsibility. Authorities have identified the suspect’s vehicle and are working to find those responsible for the deliberate targeting and sabotage of ballot drop boxes. Online platforms have seen individuals encouraging violence against ideological opponents and promoting methods of sabotaging ballot drop boxes, prompting increased security measures and patrols around the affected areas.
In response to the incidents in Washington and Oregon, officials are implementing enhanced security measures and increased patrols around ballot drop boxes to prevent further acts of sabotage. In Clark County, officials will assign observers to monitor ballot drop boxes 24 hours a day and increase patrols leading up to Election Day. In Portland, additional security measures and patrols will be implemented to ensure the safety of ballots being returned. The investigations into the intentional targeting of ballot drop boxes are ongoing, with authorities working to identify and hold those responsible for the destruction of ballots.
The incidents of ballot drop boxes being set on fire highlight the heightened tensions surrounding the upcoming election and the potential for violence driven by claims of election fraud. Authorities are working diligently to safeguard the voting process and ensure that all ballots are accounted for and counted. The FBI, along with federal, state, and local partners, are actively investigating the incidents to identify the perpetrators and prevent further acts of sabotage. Voters are urged to check the status of their ballots online and continue to participate in the democratic process despite efforts to disrupt the election.
