Fires at Oregon and Washington ballot boxes prompt police investigation
Local police and the FBI are investigating after incendiary devices were set off at two ballot drop boxes -- one in Portland, Oregon, and another in Vancouver, Washington -- destroying hundreds of ballots on Monday. Credit: Associated Press
Recent arson incidents targeting ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, may have caused some residents to worry about whether their vote will count, but there are steps locals can take to check up on their ballot.
There were only three ballots damaged in the Portland incident, according to a Multnomah County press release issued on Monday, which noted that the three individuals would be alerted to the situation.
"Fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots. Only three ballots suffered damage, and Elections will contact those three voters, via unique identifiers on their ballot envelopes, so they can receive replacement ballots. Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted," the release notes.
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The Portland Police Bureau released images of the suspect's vehicle that is believed to be connected to ballot box fires in Portland and Vancouver. (Portland Police Bureau)
"Anyone who dropped their ballot into the ballot box on SE Belmont between 3:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 26, and Monday at 3 a.m. should reach out to Elections at 503-988-6826 if they have any concerns," the press release states.
Voters in the county can opt to receive alerts about the status of their ballot.
"Multnomah County voters are also encouraged to sign up for our Track Your Ballot service which allows you to receive a text, phone or email alerts when their ballot has been mailed out and when it's been received and accepted for counting," the press release explains, noting that people can learn more at multco.us/trackyourballot and sign up at http://multnomah.ballottrax.net.
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Voters received an "I Voted" sticker after casting their ballot at the Orange Public Library in Orange, Calif. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
The Washington Secretary of State's office noted that people can visit votewa.gov to track their ballot's return status.
"If a returned ballot is not marked as ‘received,’ voters can print a replacement ballot or visit their local elections department for a replacement," the press release noted.
A Clark County press release stated that some ballots had been destroyed and others had been damaged.Â
"Ballots deposited in that box after 11 am on Saturday, Oct. 26, may have been damaged or destroyed," the press release noted. "Elections officials have gathered the ballots from the box and processed those that were still able to go through the sorting machine. Some ballots were either destroyed or too damaged to be processed. Â
"Voters can check online to see if their ballot was received by going to votewa.gov. If a voter does not see their ballot as being received by Oct. 28, they can get a new ballot by visiting the Elections Office at 1408 Franklin St. in downtown Vancouver or contacting Elections at 564.397.2345 or elections@clark.wa.gov."
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Harris (R) shakes hands with Trump during a presidential debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pa., on Sept. 10, 2024. (SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Vancouver Police Department interim chief Troy Price said during a Monday press conference that the incident that day came after a similar incident on Oct. 8.
Authorities believe the Portland incident is connected to the two in Vancouver, Mike Benner of the Portland Police Bureau noted during the press conference.
