Ballot drop boxes set ablaze in Oregon and Washington, prompting security concerns ahead of election
By richardbrown // 2024-11-01
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At least two ballot drop boxes have been set ablaze in Oregon and Washington State, destroying an unknown number of ballots. The most recent incident occurred in Vancouver, Clark County, Washington, where a ballot drop box was engulfed in flames early Monday morning, Oct. 28. This area is particularly significant as it lies within Oregon's highly contested third congressional district, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. Former President Donald Trump won the district in the 2020 election, and the race between Perez and Republican challenger United States Army Special Forces veteran Joe Kent is considered a toss-up. (Related: ELECTION LAB: More than 40 million voters have already cast their votes as early voting starts.) Vancouver police reported responding to the arson around 4 a.m., finding the ballot box on fire and a suspicious device nearby. The Metro Explosive Disposal Unit was called to safely remove the device and extinguish the fire. Initial investigations suggest an incendiary device may have caused the blaze, but no suspects or motives have been identified. Hundreds of ballots were in the drop box at the time of the fire. With many states expanding early and mail-in voting options, election officials maintain that ballot drop boxes are secure and closely monitored. However, the recent fires in Vancouver and Portland raise serious concerns about their safety. In total, hundreds of ballots were either damaged or destroyed, with most losses occurring in Vancouver, while many ballots in Portland's drop box survived the fire. In Portland, an incendiary device was discovered attached to a ballot drop box during a fire response at around 3:30 AM Monday. The Portland Police Bureau reported that the device has been sent for forensic analysis to uncover any unique markings or writings. Similarly, another ballot box in Vancouver was also set on fire early Monday, leading investigators to discover a suspicious device next to it. The U.S. Attorney’s Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are actively investigating the fires, pledging to hold those responsible accountable. Election officials confirmed that all ballot boxes in Multnomah and Clark counties are equipped with fire suppression systems, which helped save over 400 ballots in Portland, resulting in only three damaged. The extent of the damage from the Vancouver fire is still being assessed, but preliminary estimates suggest fewer than a hundred ballots may have been affected. Approximately 500 Clark County voters have requested replacement ballots. These incidents follow a September bulletin from the Department of Homeland Security warning about potential sabotage of ballot drop boxes, as discussions on social media suggested various methods to target election infrastructure. Election advocates emphasize that drop boxes provide a secure way for voters to return mail-in ballots, alleviating pressure on the United States Postal Service during busy election seasons.

Authorities have identified vehicle of suspect in Portland ballot arson attack

Authorities have identified a suspect vehicle — a dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 — seen leaving the scene in Portland. Investigators continue to piece together the connections between the recent fires and a similar incident in Vancouver earlier in October. As Election Day approaches, state officials encourage voters to participate despite these unsettling events, promising increased security around ballot drop boxes. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced 24-hour enhanced security measures and local law enforcement will increase patrols in the affected areas. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek condemned any attempts to intimidate voters or undermine the electoral process, asserting that such actions are un-American and unacceptable. Meanwhile, Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade emphasized that attacks on ballot boxes threaten democracy and are unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation. Watch this clip from InfoWars' "Daily Dispatch" discussing the ballot boxes being targeted in arson attacks. This video is from the KryptoKing187 channel on Brighteon.com.

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