VANCOUVER—The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with local law enforcement agencies in both Portland and Vancouver, are investigating fires set in ballot drop boxes early Monday, October 28, that destroyed hundreds of ballots according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey. Secretary of State Steve Hobbs is calling the incident an act of “terror.”
“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,” said Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. “I strongly denounce any acts of terror that aim to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state. Despite this incident, I have complete confidence in our county elections official’s ability to keep Washington’s elections safe and secure for all voters.”
The first incident occurred in Portland at approximately 3:30 a.m. early Monday morning after firefighters responded to fire set in a ballot box. A second ballot box was then set on fire at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver just hours later. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey shared with Associated Press that there were surveillance cameras watching the drop box and surrounding area.
Both drop boxes were equipped with fire suppressants the device at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center ballot box failed to work for some reason. The latest ballot pickup at the transit center drop box was at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 26. Clark County election officials are urging anyone who dropped a ballot at the transit center location to contract the office for a replacement ballot.
Vancouver is the largest city in the highly contested 3rd Congressional District between incumbent Democrat Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican challenger Joe Kent.
“WA needs to get back to in-person, same-day voting,” WAGOP Chairman Jim Walsh posted to X. “Our experiment with ‘100% mail-in-voting’ is not secure, because of the broken chain-of-custody issues inherent in mail-in voting. These arson attacks are proof of that.”
Voters are encouraged to check their ballot status online at www.votewa.gov to track its return status. If a returned ballot is not marked as “received,” voters can print a replacement ballot or visit their local elections department for a replacement. The number for the Clark County Auditor is 564-397-2345.
“Washington Democrats encourage everyone to return their ballot through postage-free mail, via a secure and official ballot drop box, or at an official in-person voting center as soon as possible prior to the 8:00 p.m., November 5th deadline,” Shasti Conrad, Chair of the Washington Democrats said. “Anyone with questions about voting or who wants to report suspicious activity regarding our elections is encouraged to call Washington State Democrats’ Voter Protection Hotline at 206-309-VOTE (8683).”
Monday, October 28, at 8 p.m. is the online and mail deadline to register to vote in Washington, but November 5 is the in-person deadline.
