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Washington Recovers Hundreds of Damaged Ballots After Arson

 October 31, 2024

An arson incident at a southwest Washington ballot drop box resulted in the destruction of hundreds of ballots, just days before Election Day.

In an alarming assault on the electoral process, incendiary devices caused extensive damage to ballots in Washington and Oregon, prompting a swift investigation and security overhaul, Fox News reported.On Monday morning, unknown assailants targeted a ballot drop box in Vancouver, Washington, with an incendiary device, damaging or destroying around 475 ballots, according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

Arson at Ballot Box Sparks Major Investigation

Greg Kimsey described the incident as a "direct attack on democracy." He revealed that although the fire suppression system in the Vancouver ballot box was supposed to prevent such damage, it unfortunately failed during the arson attack, leading to extensive damage to the ballots inside.

The Clark County Elections Office is now painstakingly examining the damaged ballots to extract voter information. They aim to contact the affected voters promptly to issue replacement ballots.

Kimsey underscored the significance of this effort, stating, "Officials believe that the damaged ballots are in good enough condition to determine the appropriate voter information."

Security Enhancements Follow Voting Disruptions

In response to this attack and a similar, albeit less damaging incident in Portland, Oregon, local officials have ramped up security measures around ballot drop boxes. An incendiary device affected three ballots in Portland, though they suffered less damage than in the Vancouver incident.

To prevent further incidents, Clark County has increased the frequency of ballot collections and initiated round-the-clock observation of all ballot boxes by elections office staff. Additionally, local police patrols around these locations have been intensified.

Staff monitoring the ballot boxes have been instructed to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities immediately to law enforcement authorities.

Surveillance and Investigations Intensify

Investigators connected Monday’s incidents to an October 8 attempt, when someone placed an incendiary device at another Vancouver ballot box, though no ballots were damaged. They recovered material from both incidents, linking all three arson attempts.

Portland Police increased surveillance and released images of a dark-colored Volvo S-60 believed to be involved. Despite these efforts, authorities had made no arrests as of Tuesday evening. Both local police and the FBI are involved, underscoring the serious threat to the electoral process.

Community and Voter Response to Ballot Sabotage

These attacks have shocked and concerned community members. Many see them as not just attacks on physical boxes but as direct assaults on their civic rights. Greg Kimsey has urged voters to remain resilient and proactive in ensuring their votes count.

"Voters who dropped off their ballots in the transit center box after 11 a.m. Saturday should contact his office for a replacement ballot," advised Kimsey.

He strongly encourages voters to check the status of their ballots at vote.wa.gov to confirm receipt and counting.

As Election Day approaches, the community, officials, and law enforcement stay on high alert, determined to safeguard democracy and ensure every vote is counted.