In a troubling series of events, police are investigating suspected arson attacks on ballot boxes in the northwestern U.S. states of Washington and Oregon, linking these incidents to previous acts of vandalism at similar locations. On Monday, two separate fires broke out—one in Portland, Oregon, and another in Vancouver, Washington—resulting in the damage of ballots. These incidents are believed to be connected to a previous fire that occurred at a Vancouver ballot box on October 8, which fortunately did not damage any ballots.
Amanda McMillan, the assistant chief of the Portland Police Department, addressed the media on Monday, stating, "We don't know the motive, but we do know that acts like this are targeted and intentional." The ongoing investigation has led officials to identify what they believe is a suspect vehicle involved in these incidents, and potential charges could include possession of a destructive device and illegal acts related to voting machines.
The fires have raised serious concerns about election security as early voting continues across parts of the U.S. Footage from local news outlet KATU captured alarming scenes in Vancouver, showing smoke pouring from a ballot box with multiple ballots apparently engulfed in flames. Voters who deposited their ballots after 3:30 PM PDT on Saturday have been advised to reach out to election officials for guidance on replacement ballots.
In Portland, police responded to a similar incident where an incendiary device was used, resulting in damage to three ballots. Multnomah County's election director assured the public that those affected would be contacted to obtain replacement ballots. Fire suppression systems installed inside the ballot boxes mitigated damage in the earlier incidents, but they failed to operate effectively during the most recent fire in Vancouver.
In response to these alarming incidents, the Washington Secretary of State's office has urged voters to check the status of their ballots online and to request replacements if their original ballots are unaccounted for. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs expressed his strong condemnation of the acts of vandalism, stating, "I strongly denounce any acts of terror that aim to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state." He also expressed confidence in the ability of county election officials to ensure the safety and security of the electoral process.
The ballot boxes targeted in Vancouver are located in the state's 3rd Congressional District, a highly competitive area featuring a closely contested race between Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger Joe Kent. Gluesenkamp Perez, who won her 2022 election by a narrow margin of fewer than 3,000 votes, has called for increased law enforcement presence and overnight monitoring of ballot boxes to ensure voter safety and confidence.
In a related incident in Phoenix, Arizona, authorities arrested a man accused of setting a mailbox on fire, which led to the destruction of approximately 20 ballots. This pattern of violence aimed at disrupting the electoral process raises serious concerns about voter safety and the integrity of the election system as Election Day approaches.Â
As early voting continues, election officials across the affected states are working diligently to reassure voters and uphold the integrity of the electoral process in the face of these challenges.
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