Three election ballots were damaged after a fire was set by an “incendiary device” at a Portland ballot box early Monday, according to Multnomah County officials.
Law enforcement officials said said they believe the attack is connected to two others in Vancouver, Washington, where hundreds of ballots were damaged Monday. A 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 is believed to be associated with the fires.
“Make no mistake, an attack on a ballot box is an attack on our democracy and completely unacceptable. Whatever the motivation behind this incident, there is no justification for any attempt to disenfranchise voters,” said Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade.
How many election ballots were burned in the Portland ballot box fire?
“There were only three ballots that were in the box out of hundreds that had any damage whatsoever and we were able to clearly read the voters’ names on those ballots,” Tim Scott, Multnomah County elections director said.
Fire suppressants inside the ballot box and nearby security prevented further damage.
Elections officials said they will reach out to the voters whose ballots were damaged about getting replacements.
How can I check where my ballot is?
Anyone who dropped off their ballot off at the affected box after 3:30 p.m. Saturday can call the elections office, but “voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted.”
Specific ballot tracking is available on most county websites, and ballot status can be viewed using the secretary of state’s MyVote system.
Are other ballot boxes being targeted?
Ballots were damaged last week in Phoenix due to a postal box fire. A man arrested there said the arson was not politically motivated.
The incidents come a week after the Secretary of State’s Elections Division shut down their phone lines following false claims of election interference.
“We do know that acts like this are targeted and they are intentional and we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to affect the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping that kind of behavior,” said Amanda McMillan, assistant chief of investigations for Portland Police.
Anastasia Mason covers state government for the Statesman Journal. Reach her at acmason@statesmanjournal.com or 971-208-5615.
