‘Violent attack on democracy’: Ballot boxes set ablaze in Oregon, Washington

The FBI and authorities in the Pacific Northwest were searching Tuesday for suspects after ballot boxes were set ablaze in Washington and Oregon, damaging hundreds of votes a week before Election Day.

In Oregon, Portland, police said they responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box in the Buckman neighborhood at about 3:30 a.m. Monday. Thirty minutes later and less than 15 miles to the north, Vancouver police responded to an arson at a ballot box.

Later Monday, Portland police released two photos of a vehicle investigators believe was tied to both fires. It was described as a black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 with no front license plate and an unknown rear plate.

“We don’t know the motive behind these acts,” Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan said in a statement. “We do know acts like this are targeted and they’re intentional. And we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to impact the election process.”

McMillan said her department was “dedicated to stopping this kind of behavior.”

The FBI said in a statement to USA TODAY that it is “coordinating with federal, state and local partners” to investigate the fires. The FBI declined to comment on whether the arsons would be investigated as domestic terrorism.

Hundreds of ballots damaged in Washington; damage limited in Portland

Voting in both states takes place almost entirely by mail and drop boxes. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee called the fires a “violent attack on democracy” and promised enhanced, 24-hour security at ballot drop-off locations.

“We will do everything to keep our election system strong and secure in Washington,” he said. “Our state and local election teams are fully dedicated to making sure every person’s vote is counted fairly and accurately.” There will be 24-hour enhanced security around ballot drop-off locations.”

Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey said the fire suppression system in the box failed and “hundreds” of ballots had been destroyed in the Vancouver fire. The last pickup from the ballot box occurred at 11 a.m. Saturday, Kimsey told USA TODAY.

Kimsey said voters who believe their ballot was in the box when the fire occurred can request a new ballot at the county’s voting website. He further said that there will be increased police and civilian security around the drop boxes and ballot pickups will occur at 5:30 p.m.

In Oregon, Multnomah County election official Tim Scott said the fire suppression system did work in its box. Three ballots were destroyed in the Portland fire and those voters would be contacted, Scott said.

Second ballot box arson in Vancouver, Washington

Vancouver police said Monday’s arson was similar to one that occurred on Oct. 8 before ballots were being mailed, according to The Oregonian. The Vancouver ballot box is located in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic House Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is attempting to retain her seat, which she won by less than 3,000 votes in 2022 against Republican challenger Joe Kent.

Both candidates condemned the arsons.

“Southwest Washington cannot risk a single vote being lost to arson and political violence,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “We can’t yield to intimidation, and we must continue to stand up against unpatriotic acts such as this one.

“Stay focused on driving voter turn out & early voting, don’t be deterred from voting by a cowardly act of terrorism,” Kent said on X, formerly Twitter.