Arson Attacks Target Pacific Northwest Ballot Boxes, Sparking Election Security Concerns
In the critical weeks leading up to the general election, a series of deliberate arson attacks on official ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington state has ignited widespread concern over election security and the integrity of the democratic process. Multiple incidents in late October 2024 saw incendiary devices set ablaze in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots and prompting a large-scale federal investigation. [5, 7, 8, 12, 15]
The coordinated acts of vandalism, which authorities have condemned as a direct assault on democracy, underscore persistent vulnerabilities in election infrastructure amidst a climate of heightened political tension and misinformation. [8, 11, 12, 15, 19, 23]
The Incidents Unfold
The most significant attacks occurred in the early morning hours of Monday, October 28, 2024. In Portland, Oregon, an incendiary device was placed inside a ballot box located on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street, near the Multnomah County Elections Division office. [7, 8, 9, 12, 16, 24, 27] Simultaneously, just across the Columbia River in Vancouver, Washington, another ballot box at the C-TRAN Park and Ride at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center was targeted in a similar fashion. [7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 27]
These October 28th events are believed to be connected to an earlier, unsuccessful attempt on October 8, 2024, when another incendiary device was placed near a ballot box at W 14th Street and Esther Street in downtown Vancouver, though no ballots were damaged in that instance. [6, 12, 14, 20, 23, 24]
Devastation and Resilience
The impact of the fires varied significantly between the two primary locations. In Portland, thanks to a functional fire suppression system within the drop box and the swift response of nearby security personnel, the damage was largely contained, with only three ballots sustaining damage. [5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28, 29] Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott confirmed that his office planned to contact these affected voters to ensure they could obtain replacement ballots. [9, 11]
However, the situation was far more severe in Vancouver. The ballot box at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center suffered extensive damage, with approximately 475 ballots recovered in a damaged state. [5, 16, 17, 19] Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey stated that the fire suppression system in the Vancouver box did not appear to work as effectively, leading to the widespread destruction. [5, 6, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20, 23] Kimsey expressed concern that additional ballots might have been completely incinerated, given the significant amount of ash found at the bottom of the box. [5] He called the incident “heartbreaking” and a “direct attack on democracy.” [8, 11, 15, 23]
The Hunt for the Perpetrator
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken the lead in the ongoing investigation, collaborating closely with the Portland Police Bureau and the Vancouver Police Department. [7, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20, 24] Surveillance footage from the Portland incident captured images of a “suspect vehicle” – a dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 sedan, notably missing a front license plate and displaying a fraudulent temporary Washington license plate on the rear. [6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 22, 23, 30, 32]
Authorities have described the suspect as a white male, approximately 30 to 40 years old, with short or balding hair, a thin-to-medium build, and a thin face. [18, 21, 30, 32] Investigators believe the individual possesses a “wealth of experience” in metal fabrication and welding, suggesting a sophisticated understanding of how to construct the incendiary devices used in the attacks. [6, 18, 21, 24, 30, 32] The FBI later revealed that these devices were composed of a “very volatile mix” of thermite and scrap metal, capable of generating extreme temperatures up to 4,000 degrees Fahrenheit. [21, 24]
Disturbingly, the words “free Gaza” were found marked on the casings of the incendiary devices, a detail confirmed by a law enforcement source, adding a potential political dimension to the attacks. [5, 16, 18] The FBI has appealed to the public for assistance, offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to an arrest, and urging anyone with knowledge of individuals possessing unusual expertise in explosives, metalworking, or suspicious activities to come forward. [24, 32]
Impact on Voters and Election Integrity
Election officials in both states swiftly moved to mitigate the impact on voters. Washington and Oregon are predominantly vote-by-mail states, making drop boxes a crucial component of their electoral systems. [9, 11, 23] Voters who believe their ballots may have been affected have been strongly encouraged to contact their local election offices immediately to request replacement ballots. [6, 9, 10, 11, 15, 17, 19, 23, 29] Both states also offer online portals, such as votewa.gov, where voters can track the status of their ballots. [6, 7, 10, 17, 18, 19]
Multnomah County was successful in identifying and directly contacting the three voters whose ballots were damaged. [9, 11, 15, 16, 19, 20, 23, 27, 28] In Clark County, election officials diligently processed the recovered damaged ballots and are in the process of contacting the identified voters to provide replacements, while also acknowledging the possibility of entirely destroyed, unidentifiable ballots. [5, 16, 17, 19]
Heightened Security and Broader Context
In response to these alarming incidents, authorities immediately implemented enhanced security measures. Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced 24-hour enhanced security protocols around all ballot drop-off locations across the state. [10, 15, 23] Clark County, specifically affected by the significant ballot loss, increased the frequency of ballot collections and shifted retrieval times to evenings to prevent boxes from remaining full overnight, when acts of vandalism are more likely. [11, 12, 17, 19, 23, 27] The county also hired staff to monitor all drop boxes around the clock until Election Day. [17, 23] Similarly, Multnomah County increased uniformed and plainclothes patrols in areas with drop boxes. [15, 23]
These attacks did not occur in a vacuum. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had previously issued warnings in a September memo, obtained by the public records watchdog group Property of the People, stating that election infrastructure, particularly accessible drop boxes, could become “attractive targets for some domestic violent extremists” and are considered “soft targets.” [5, 13, 26] The memo highlighted online discussions among extremist groups encouraging methods of sabotaging ballot drop boxes. [5, 13, 26]
Moreover, ballot drop boxes have been a recurring target of misinformation and baseless conspiracy theories, particularly since the 2020 election. [11, 26, 28] Debunked claims, such as those propagated by the film “2,000 Mules,” falsely asserted widespread voter fraud linked to drop boxes, contributing to a climate of distrust and making them vulnerable to physical threats. [11, 26, 28] Prior incidents of ballot box arson also occurred in Massachusetts and Los Angeles County in 2020, and just a week prior to these Pacific Northwest events, a similar fire damaged ballots in Phoenix, Arizona. [9, 11, 15, 16, 19, 26]
A Call for Vigilance
The ballot box arsons in Oregon and Washington serve as a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing democratic processes, particularly in the run-up to hotly contested elections. While election officials and law enforcement have acted swiftly to investigate, replace destroyed ballots, and enhance security, the incidents underscore the ongoing need for vigilance from both authorities and the public to safeguard the electoral system against acts of intimidation and violence. The commitment to ensuring every eligible vote is counted remains paramount, even in the face of such calculated attacks. [10, 15, 23, 29]
