Ballot boxes get set on fire

PORTLAND, OR – Authorities are on high alert following arson attacks on ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington State, amid intensifying security concerns for the upcoming Nov. 5 election. The Portland Police Bureau released images of a suspect’s vehicle linked to the incidents.

In the early hours of Monday, a ballot box in Southeast Portland and at least one box in Vancouver, Washington, were set ablaze in what officials believe are deliberate acts aimed at interfering with the electoral process. Vancouver authorities reported hundreds of ballots destroyed in the fire.

Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, condemned the attacks as attempts to disenfranchise voters and expressed confidence that those responsible would be apprehended and prosecuted.

Portland police assistant chief Amanda McMillan described the acts as targeted and intentional, sparking concerns about their potential impact on the election process.

Police arrived at the Portland ballot box at around 3:30 a.m. PDT to find the fire already extinguished by local security. An incendiary device had been affixed to the box, investigators determined.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, a suspicious device was discovered near the fire-damaged ballot box at about 4 a.m. PDT. The FBI is now involved in investigating these acts of arson.

As the incidents unfold, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has noted a “heightened, dynamic threat environment” concerning the 2024 election. In its recent Homeland Threat Assessment, the department cautioned that domestic violent extremists pose significant risks to election-related structures and personnel, including intimidation tactics like hoax bomb threats and doxxing.

The assessment further warns of the potential for violence if extremists perceive their preferred candidates were unsuccessful, highlighting the department’s proactive communication with law enforcement partners about such threats.

In response to these threats, election officials are urged to remain vigilant and enhance security measures to safeguard the electoral process from any further attempts at disruption.