Portland Police Give Update On Fires At Drop Box
In a concerning turn ahead of Election Day, authorities in Oregon and Washington state are investigating suspected arson attacks on ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.
The devices, planted to cause fires within the drop boxes, appear to have been built by someone with specialized knowledge in metalworking and fabrication, as the incendiary devices were strategically attached to the metal ballot boxes, according to the Portland Police Bureau.
The suspect, described as a white man between 30 and 40 years old with short or balding hair, was seen driving a dark-colored Volvo S-60 from 2001-2004, although the vehicle lacked a front license plate. Surveillance video captured the Volvo pulling up to the ballot box in Portland just before security personnel discovered a fire inside.
Fortunately, in Portland, only three ballots were damaged due to a nearby security guard and the box's functional fire suppression system.
In Vancouver, however, the attack was more damaging. Hundreds of ballots were impacted when the drop box’s suppression system failed. As of Wednesday, Clark County's elections office reported identifying 488 damaged ballots, with 345 voters already reaching out for replacements.
For the remaining voters, election officials have arranged to mail replacement ballots, ensuring they have another chance to cast their votes. Tragically, six ballots were too damaged to identify their origin, and authorities estimate the actual number of destroyed ballots may be higher due to the extent of the fire damage.
The incendiary devices left behind also carried political messages: "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" were found on them. Investigators are examining whether the suspect held these views or if the messages were an attempt to deflect or mislead.
Meanwhile, Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey has urged voters who used the affected Vancouver drop box between Saturday morning and early Monday to contact his office if they haven't yet received confirmation of their ballot’s status.
The coordinated nature of the incidents has raised concerns, but Washington state’s voter tracking website, VoteWA, allows voters to check their ballot status. Those whose ballots were impacted can request replacements through local election offices, reaffirming the state’s commitment to voter security amidst this unsettling event.