A wave of suspicious fires has struck the Pacific Northwest, targeting ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington.
Authorities are investigating two separate incidents that occurred on Monday, destroying hundreds of ballots and raising concerns about election tampering.
The fires, which involved incendiary devices, are believed to be coordinated, with witnesses reporting a similar vehicle at both scenes. The incidents are also linked to a previous attack on a Vancouver ballot box earlier this month.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs condemned the attacks, calling them “acts of terror” designed to disrupt the democratic process. “I strongly denounce any attempts to undermine the integrity of our elections,” Hobbs said.
The attacks come as early voting reaches a fever pitch, with nearly 42 million ballots cast nationwide. Oregon and Washington, both vote-by-mail states, rely heavily on ballot drop boxes to facilitate the voting process.
Voters are urged to verify the status of their ballots online to ensure they have been received. Those who have not received confirmation can print a replacement or visit their local elections office to ensure their vote is counted.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are working to identify the perpetrators and prevent further disruptions to the electoral process. The incidents have sparked concerns about election security and the potential for targeted vandalism.
With the presidential election just a week away, officials are on high alert, stressing the importance of protecting the integrity of the electoral process. “We will not tolerate any attempts to undermine the democratic process,” Hobbs emphasized.
