Investigations Underway After Ballot Drop Boxes Set Ablaze in Washington and Oregon

In a concerning development, ballot drop boxes in both Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, were set on fire early Monday morning, disrupting early voting. Hundreds of ballots were reported destroyed in the Vancouver incident at a transit center, while the Portland fire, located outside the Multnomah County election office, damaged three ballots before it was contained. Authorities suspect the two incidents are linked and related to a previous attempted ballot box fire in early October.

Local police and the FBI are investigating the similarities between the incidents, particularly the use of similar incendiary devices, as part of efforts to maintain election security. Portland police are also on the lookout for a dark Volvo seen near the Portland fire site. Officials have assured the public of steps taken to reinforce drop box security and have called on voters to remain vigilant as election processes continue.

These acts have heightened concerns around election safety, especially with the FBI’s involvement. State election authorities in both states are encouraging voters to monitor their ballots’ status to ensure they are counted, underscoring the importance of maintaining election integrity.

Oregon and Washington, both states with high levels of mail-in and drop-box voting, have recently increased security around voting infrastructure. This latest arson attempt comes amid nationwide discussions on voting security and the use of ballot drop boxes, an issue that has grown divisive in recent years. Officials continue to monitor drop boxes and are collaborating across state lines to prevent further incidents as the election season unfolds.