Police Investigate Suspected Arson at Ballot Drop Boxes in Washington and Oregon
Authorities are probing a series of suspected arson attacks targeting ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington, believed to be interconnected. On Monday, two separate fires were reported: one in Portland, Oregon, which damaged three ballots, and another in Vancouver, Washington, where hundreds of ballots were destroyed. Law enforcement indicated that both incidents bore similarities to a prior fire in Vancouver on October 8, which failed to damage any ballots.
Portland Police Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan addressed the media, stating, “We don’t know the motive,” but confirmed that the attacks were “targeted and intentional.” Potential legal ramifications for the suspected perpetrator include charges related to the use of destructive devices and illegal actions concerning voting machinery.
Footage captured by local news revealed smoke billowing from a ballot box in Vancouver, with multiple ballots reported on fire. Following the incidents, local officials urged voters who deposited ballots after 3:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday to reach out to election officials for guidance.
The Vancouver Police Department responded to the arson with notable urgency, discovering a “suspicious device” near the affected ballot box. Fortunately, a fire suppression system helped limit damage in Portland’s incident, although it failed to activate during the second Vancouver fire.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs condemned the attacks, expressing unwavering confidence in the capacity of local election officials to safeguard the integrity of elections in the state. In a politically charged district encompassing Vancouver, notable candidates, including Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger Joe Kent, have raised concerns regarding ongoing safety measures for ballot boxes.
In a related incident in Phoenix, Arizona, one man was arrested following a fire that destroyed approximately 20 ballots.
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