Multiple ballot boxes were set ablaze in Oregon and Washington, damaging hundreds of ballots. Authorities believe the incidents are connected and are investigating. Fire suppression measures limited the impact, ensuring the majority of ballots remained intact. Officials condemned the attacks, emphasizing their commitment to election security.
On October 28, 2024, multiple ballot boxes were set ablaze in Washington and Oregon, raising concerns about election security as authorities investigate the incidents believed to be interconnected. The first fire occurred in Portland around 3:30 a.m., where police discovered an incendiary device attached to a ballot box. Thanks to swift action from the Multnomah County Elections Division, fire suppressants limited the damage to just three ballots, with 409 remaining intact. Election officials reached out to affected voters to arrange for replacement ballots.
Shortly after the Portland incident, Vancouver police responded to a second fire at a ballot box, where they found a suspicious device. While the exact number of damaged ballots in Vancouver is still unknown, officials estimate that hundreds were affected. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey indicated that fire suppression systems in the boxes need improvement, as they failed to fully contain the damage.
Both the FBI and local law enforcement are investigating, with police identifying a suspect vehicle linked to the incidents. Authorities have condemned these attacks, emphasizing that any assault on voting infrastructure undermines democracy. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade and Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs expressed their commitment to ensuring election safety and denounced these acts of violence. As investigations continue, officials reassure voters of the integrity of the election process, urging them to report any suspicious activity.
