Photo: Portland Police Bureau
Ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, were set on fire early Monday morning, according to local police. The incidents occurred just over a week before Election Day, potentially affecting hundreds of ballots.
In Portland, an 'incendiary device' was placed inside a sidewalk ballot box in the Central City district around 3:30 a.m. local time. By the time officers responded to reports, security personnel in the area had already extinguished the flames. The Portland Police Bureau's Explosive Disposal Unit removed the device, and the bureau is continuing to investigate the incident. According to the Multnomah County election office, a fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots, though three were damaged. The affected voters will be contacted for replacement ballots, ensuring their votes will be counted.
Approximately half an hour later, police in Vancouver also responded to a ballot box fire. The two boxes are about 15 miles apart.
Officers arrived to find smoke and flames and located a 'suspicious device' next to the box. The fire was extinguished, and the city's Metro Explosive Disposal Unit collected the device. The FBI is investigating the incident, and no further details were immediately available. Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey said that potentially 'hundreds' of ballots could be damaged. He advised anyone who placed a ballot into the box after 11 a.m. Saturday, contact the office to confirm the status of their ballot.
Authorities said the two fires were connected based on the material used in the incendiary devices. They are also linked to another incident on October 8, when a similar device was placed at a different ballot drop box in Vancouver.
Investigators reviewed surveillance camera footage and identified a suspicious vehicle that was seen pulling up to the drop box in Portland and leaving moments before the fire started.
The incidents come as election officials across the country have said they are on high alert due to concerns that extremists inspired by conspiracy theories could seek to disrupt voting or vote counting.
"We take the safety of our election workers seriously and will not tolerate threats or acts of violence that seek to undermine the democratic process," Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said.
"I strongly denounce any acts of terror that aim to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state," Hobbs added. "Despite this incident, I have complete confidence in our county elections officials' ability to keep Washington's elections safe and secure for all voters."