Hundreds of Ballots Destroyed in Oregon and Washington Ballot Box Fires

Authorities investigate smoke pouring out of a ballot box in Vancouver, Wash., on Oct. 28, 2024, in a still from video. KGW8 via AP

Two fires at ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, led to police responses early on Oct. 28, with one fire resulting in the destruction of potentially hundreds of ballots. Officials said at a press conference that they believe the incidents are connected and that they have identified a suspect vehicle.

At about 3:30 a.m. in Portland, officers responded to reports of a fire at a ballot drop box outside the Multnomah County elections office.

Mike Brenner, public information officer for the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), stated: “By the time officers arrived, I can tell you that security personnel in the area had already extinguished the fire. Our officers quickly determined that there was an incendiary device that had been attached to the ballot box, and that is what ignited this fire.”

The PPB’s Explosive Disposal Unit cleared the device, which is now in the custody of authorities.

PPB Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the coming election, stating: “We do know that acts like this are targeted and they’re intentional, and we’re concerned about that intentional act trying to affect the election process. We’re dedicated to stopping that kind of behavior, and we’re working toward that today.”

In Vancouver’s Clark County, another “incendiary device” was placed in a drop box a few hours later, burning “hundreds” of ballots, as shown in footage from local ABC outlet KATU. First responders were seen pulling still-burning ballots from the box, which continued smoldering despite pouring rain.

Interim Vancouver Police Chief Troy Price noted that this was the second event of this nature in Vancouver this month, with an earlier incident on Oct. 8.

During that incident, he said, they got a call about smoke coming out of a ballot drop box and found a device next to the box, which was collected by the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit. The Oct. 28 incident was “very similar,” he said, with an incendiary device collected there as well.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey confirmed that a fire suppression device is installed in each ballot drop box, adding that “it doesn’t appear it worked very well.”

“We are still in the process of coming up with a closer number, but certainly it was hundreds [of ballots that were destroyed],” he said.

Tim Scott, director of elections for Multnomah County, reported that the fire suppression devices in their ballot box functioned as intended.

“The good news is the fire suppression devices inside the box extinguished any fire almost immediately,“ he said. ”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, so we will be reaching out directly to those that were impacted.”

A ballot drop box in Portland, Ore., caught on fire after an incendiary device was placed on it on Oct. 28, 2024, local police said. Portland Police Bureau

Scott encouraged anyone who used the affected drop box between 3:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 and 3:00 a.m. on Oct. 28 to contact the elections division if they have concerns.

Brenner said authorities had identified a suspect vehicle connected to the incident through surveillance footage and would make that photo available later in the day.

He added that they believe the Portland incident is connected to the two incidents in Vancouver. The FBI is conducting a separate but parallel investigation.

Potential charges for the suspect include possession and manufacturing of a destructive device, unlawful use of a weapon, criminal mischief in the first degree, reckless burning, obstructing governmental or judicial administration, and illegal acts related to voting machines or vote tally systems, Brenner said.

Election officials in both states are taking additional security measures, and voters are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around ballot boxes.

“We already have been monitoring our drop sites on a rotating basis, 24 hours a day, starting the day that the ballots went out and the drop sites opened,” Scott said.

Clark County plans to obtain and install “fire suppression devices that work better” and is modifying its ballot retrieval schedule, encouraging voters to deposit ballots before 5:30 p.m.

Charlie Boisner, director of external affairs for the Washington secretary of state, told The Epoch Times in an email that the office received reports of the suspected incendiary device early on the morning of Oct. 28.

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement: “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. 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 officials’ ability to keep Washington’s elections safe and secure for all voters.”

Voters who used the drop box are encouraged to check their ballot status online at www.VoteWA.gov.

“If a returned ballot is not marked as ‘received,’ voters can print or request a replacement ballot online from their county elections office,” Boisner said.