Overview of the Ballot Box Fires Incidents
Early on October 28, an incendiary device was found on a ballot box outside the Multnomah County Elections Office in Portland. While fire suppression systems were effective in limiting damage, three ballots were slightly affected. Just hours later, a second incident occurred in Vancouver, Washington, where another incendiary device caused extensive damage to a ballot box at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center. Hundreds of ballots were destroyed in this attack, with law enforcement now referring to the incident as an “attack on democracy.” Portland Police Bureau (PPB) identified a dark-colored Volvo seen fleeing the Portland scene, believed to be connected to both incidents.
Connections to Previous Incidents
This week’s ballot box fires aren’t isolated. An initial arson occurred on October 8, when a ballot box in Vancouver was found smoking, but the fire was quickly extinguished with minimal impact on ballots. These incidents are part of what authorities believe may be a coordinated attempt to disrupt voting in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where a highly competitive House race between incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent is underway.
Mike Benner, spokesperson for the PPB, confirmed federal authorities, including the FBI, are investigating these incidents and working closely with local agencies. Both states are urging anyone with information on the incidents to contact the FBI or local law enforcement.
Steps to Secure Ballots and Voter Confidence
In response to these incidents, election officials in both Oregon and Washington have increased security measures. Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced that 24-hour security would be deployed around ballot drop boxes statewide. Additionally, Clark County plans to hire additional monitoring personnel to observe ballot boxes through Election Day.
Washington’s Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has reassured the public, stating, “We take the safety of our election workers seriously and will not tolerate threats or acts of violence that seek to undermine the democratic process.” Multnomah County in Oregon is also deploying roving security patrols to check on ballot drop boxes regularly.
What Affected Voters Should Do
Voters who dropped off ballots at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center ballot box in Vancouver after 11 a.m. on October 26, or in Portland at the Southeast Morrison Street ballot box between 3:30 p.m. on October 26 and 3 a.m. on October 28, are encouraged to check the status of their ballots. Here’s how:
- Check Ballot Status Online:
- In Washington, voters can check their ballot status on the VoteWA portal at votewa.gov.
- Oregon voters can visit My Vote Oregon at myvote.oregon.gov.
- Request a Replacement Ballot:
- If the status does not indicate “received,” voters should contact the Clark County Elections Office at (564) 397-2345 for a replacement ballot or visit the office directly at 1408 Franklin Street in downtown Vancouver.
- Multnomah County residents may call (503) 988-6826 for assistance if they dropped off a potentially affected ballot.
- Track Ballot Status:
- Multnomah County voters can sign up for the “Track Your Ballot” service at multco.us/trackyourballot to receive updates on their ballot’s progress.
A Larger Pattern of Disruption?
While attacks on election infrastructure remain rare, ballot drop boxes have increasingly become targets in recent years. Critics, including some on the political right, have questioned the security of drop boxes, although multiple studies, including one by the Associated Press, found no widespread issues with drop boxes in the 2020 election.
Authorities have noted that recent incidents may reflect a broader trend of targeted disruptions to voting systems, possibly fueled by misinformation and distrust in the electoral process. Both Oregon and Washington, states with well-established vote-by-mail systems, emphasize the importance of drop boxes for voter access, particularly in rural areas.
Security and Assurance for Voters
While these ballot box fires are unsettling, state and federal officials have increased security protocols and are actively investigating all leads. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade has called the fires “an attack on our democracy” and emphasized that acts like these will not go unchallenged. With Election Day fast approaching, law enforcement continues to monitor ballot box sites and gather intelligence to prevent any further attempts to interfere with the voting process.
In both Oregon and Washington ballot box fire, the focus remains on voter accessibility, safety, and election integrity. As Governor Inslee reaffirmed, “This was a violent attack on democracy, and we will do everything to keep our election system strong and secure in Washington.”
In a time when every vote counts, voters are reminded to stay vigilant, check ballot status online, and report any suspicious activity around ballot drop boxes.
