Voters in Oregon and Washington are seeing their electoral process jeopardized as arsonists target ballot drop boxes, destroying hundreds of ballots and igniting concerns just days before the November elections. Incidents occurred early Monday, October 28, 2024, at two locations, with one box outside the Multnomah County Elections Office in Portland and another at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, WA.
The series of violent attacks, now under investigation by both local law enforcement and the FBI, are believed to be connected to earlier attempts to set fire to other drop boxes. Notably, on October 8, there was another attempt to sabotage yet another drop box within the vicinity, but no ballots were harmed during this previous incident. Nevertheless, this time around, the damage was severe, as the box at the Fisher's Landing site was completely engulfed, leading to extensive loss. According to Greg Kimsey, Clark County's auditor, the box was equipped with fire suppression systems, which unfortunately failed to protect the ballots inside.
Kimsey expressed his heartbreak over the events, stating, "It’s a direct attack on democracy." Hundreds of ballots believed to be registered to votes were burned beyond repair, raising alarms over the upcoming election. The opposite from this incident saw only three ballots scorched due to rapid response measures at the Multnomah County box, where security personnel swiftly extinguished the flames before they could spread.
Surveillance footage has since become pivotal for investigators. Authorities are concentrating their efforts on identifying the driver of a dark-colored Volvo spotted at the scene of the Portland incident, providing clues they hope will lead to arrests. Portland police spokesperson, Mike Benner, indicated they found enough evidence across all three related incidents to believe they are interconnected.
The timing of these attacks adds to the heightened tension of the season as both states gear up for the election. Vancouver, where one of the boxes was set ablaze, is situated within Washington’s third congressional district, which is currently under scrutiny as the Democratic Representative, Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, battles against Republican candidate Joe Kent. This race has already been extremely close, with Perez having previously succeeded by less than 3,000 votes against Kent during the last election.
Gluesenkamp Perez condemned the attacks, voicing her commitment to ensuring voter safety and urging local law enforcement to bolster their presence at ballot drop boxes leading up to Election Day. She firmly stated, "There is absolutely zero place in our democracy for political violence or interference against our fellow citizens, election workers, or voting infrastructure." Meanwhile, Kent, supported by former President Donald Trump, also called for vigilance and reassured his followers, insisting these acts should not deter voters.
Despite the destructive actions, officials from both Oregon and Washington have emphasized their determination to maintain the integrity of the elections. Washington Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, reiterated their focus on securing voter safety, stating, "We take the safety of our election workers seriously and will not tolerate threats or acts of violence." Hobbs also informed voters affected by the destruction of ballots on the options available to print replacements or visit local election offices.
Officials are taking immediate measures to heighten security around ballot boxes and will increase the frequency of ballot pickups to minimize the chances of vandalism. Each ballot drop box will now have election officials observing them 24/7, ready to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade spoke out against the violence, explicitly condemning any acts of terrorism against the democratic process, declaring, "Make no mistake, an attack on a ballot box is an attack on our democracy and completely unacceptable." She reinforced the importance of ensuring voter access and safety leading up to the elections.
With Election Day now less than one week away, these acts of violence have stirred anxiety among voters. Communities are now eagerly awaiting responses not only from local law enforcement but also from federal agencies, as residents place their hopes on maintaining the democratic processes and protecting their voting rights.
The chaos of the incident unfolded as communities were already embroiled in heated political campaigns and elections, stirring intense discussions about the role of ballot drop boxes—a hot spot for criticism among Republicans and conspiracy theorists, particularly post-2020 elections. Six Republican-led states, including Arkansas and South Carolina, have since abolished their use.
With the public eye set firmly on how these political dynamics play out, officials from various governance levels are striving jointly to restore confidence and safety as citizens seek to cast their votes, even amid attempts to intimidate and disrupt. Both the Portland and Vancouver police have vowed to work collaboratively to resolve the matter and keep the elections on track, showcasing how even the darkest acts cannot overshadow the resilience of democratic systems.
