Authorities are investigating two alarming incidents of ballot box arson in Oregon and Washington, occurring just one week before Election Day. These events highlight a troubling trend of election-related terrorism that is emerging in the lead-up to the 2024 elections.
In Portland, Oregon, police responded to reports of a fire at a ballot drop box around 3:30 a.m. on Monday, where they discovered an incendiary device had been used. Fortunately, fire suppression measures inside the box protected the majority of ballots, though three were damaged, and affected voters will be contacted for replacements.
“We have multiple systems and security measures in place to ensure your ballot is safe,” assured Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott.
Simultaneously, Vancouver, Washington, faced a similar incident around 4:00 a.m., where officers discovered a “suspicious device” near another burned ballot box. Reports suggest that hundreds of ballots may have been compromised, prompting the FBI to join local authorities in the investigation.
Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad condemned the incidents as “an attempt to disenfranchise Washington voters through the destruction of ballots.”
“Washington Democrats trust law enforcement and the Clark County Auditor to find those responsible and hold them accountable. Voting is safe and easy, and Washington state is proud to have one of the most secure elections systems in the country,” Conrad said in a release.
These arson cases raise concerns about the broader implications for voter security and election integrity in a time of heightened political tension. The two drop boxes, located about 15 miles apart along the Oregon-Washington border, come amid highly competitive races, particularly in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is facing a fierce challenge from Republican Joe Kent.
Election officials are increasingly vigilant, having prepared for potential violence in this charged political climate. Just last week, a suspect was arrested for arson at a mailbox in Phoenix, Arizona.
Earlier this month, there was also a separate report of possible arson at a ballot drop box in Vancouver, which fortunately did not compromise the box itself.