Police in Oregon and Washington reported that early Monday morning, ballot boxes were set ablaze in Oregon.
The two arson attacks that occurred near the Oregon/Washington border are not connected.
Police said that in the first incident reported, an incendiary was used to set a ballot box on fire in Portland, Oregon.
Portland police responded around 3:30 am local time to reports that a fire had broken out at a voting box. Multnomah County Elections Division security responded to the fire and put it out, according to officials.
The Portland Police Bureau issued a statement saying that “officers determined that an incendiary was placed in the ballot box to ignite the fire.”
Police said that the explosives disposal unit of the bureau had removed the device.
In a release, Multnomah County Elections Division stated that fire suppressant protected “virtually every ballot” even though three were damaged.
The division stated that the Elections Division would contact the three affected voters to provide them with replacement ballots.
Tim Scott, Multnomah County Elections director said that the county has implemented multiple security systems to protect your ballot.
Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin Valade stated that the limited impact on ballots “shows our systems are secure.”
Griffin-Valade in a press release said: “Make no mistake. An attack on a voting box is an assault on our democracy, and it’s completely unacceptable.” “Whatever the motive behind this incident, any attempt to disenfranchise voting is unacceptable.”
The division stated that no other ballot boxes in Multnomah County or drop-off sites were affected.
Portland Fire Investigations Unit investigates.
Police said that a report was made about a burning and smoking ballot box in Vancouver, Washington. They responded a little over a half-hour later.
Vancouver Police Department released a statement saying that officers found a suspicious device on fire next to the box.
Police said that the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit collected the explosive device safely after the fire was put out.
Washington Secretary of State’s office reports that a suspected incendiary was left in the Dropbox and “some ballots are believed to be damaged”. It said that the Clark County Auditor’s Office would work to make sure that impacted voters receive replacement ballots as soon as possible.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs stated in a press release that “we take our election workers’ safety seriously and we will not tolerate any threats or acts violence which seek to undermine democracy.” “I denounce all acts of terror which aim to disrupt fair and lawful elections in Washington State. I am confident that our county election officials will keep Washington’s voting safe and secure.
A spokesperson for the FBI said that it is “investigating both incidents” to determine “who is responsible”.
Oregon and Washington both have a vote-by-mail system, whereby ballots can be returned via postal service or official drop boxes. Washington has also opened voting centers to accept ballots.
