Ballot Drop Boxes Targeted by Arson in Three States as Election Day Nears

With isolated arson attacks on ballot drop boxes in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona, officials call for heightened security measures and voter awareness ahead of the upcoming election.

Posted 1 month ago

As Election Day draws near, ballot drop boxes in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona have been set on fire, damaging hundreds of ballots and raising security concerns. Federal and local authorities are investigating these incidents, which they believe could be connected to a broader rise in threats to election infrastructure. These isolated incidents underscore growing concerns about voter intimidation and the security of mail-in and drop-box ballots.

Details of the Attacks in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona

The first reported incident occurred early Monday in Portland, Oregon, where police responded to a fire inside a ballot drop box. Multnomah County election officials confirmed that a small number of ballots were affected, though the box’s fire suppression system protected most ballots from significant damage.

Hours later, a second fire was reported in nearby Vancouver, Washington, with a more severe outcome. In this instance, the drop box’s fire suppression system failed, and Clark County officials estimate that hundreds of ballots were “completely destroyed or severely damaged.” Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey expressed disappointment, calling it “a direct attack on democracy.”

In Arizona, a separate incident occurred when a man named Dieter Klofkorn set a fire in a USPS mailbox, claiming his actions were unrelated to the election. The Phoenix Police Department reported that Klofkorn said he was not politically motivated.

Local and Federal Responses

Following these incidents, election officials in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona have implemented additional measures to secure ballot drop boxes. Washington’s Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, condemned the acts as “domestic terrorism,” urging voters to check the status of their ballots online to confirm they’ve been recorded. Hobbs emphasized that if necessary, voters could print replacement ballots or cast their votes in person to ensure their votes are counted.

In Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, where Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez faces a tight race, officials are considering law enforcement presence at drop boxes to deter further attacks.

Federal Investigation and Monitoring:
Federal agencies, including the FBI, are collaborating with local law enforcement to investigate these incidents. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intelligence report recently warned of threats to election-related infrastructure, citing ballot drop boxes as “soft targets” discussed in online extremist forums.

Election Security and Disinformation

Disinformation about the integrity of ballot drop boxes has grown since the 2020 election, often perpetuated on social media and certain news channels. Conspiratorial claims have frequently suggested that drop boxes are vulnerable to tampering, a narrative dismissed by multiple studies and election experts.

Understanding Drop Box Security:
Election experts clarify that ballot drop boxes are typically placed under video surveillance, equipped with fire suppression mechanisms, and routinely emptied by election workers. While the recent incidents have prompted concern, officials stress that such cases are isolated and do not represent widespread threats to the overall security of voting infrastructure.

“Small-scale incidents like these arsons can be used to support and bolster those claims going forward,” explained Max Read, a senior researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. The Institute, which monitors election-related disinformation, has noted increased online discussions about ballot security, with many claims lacking factual support.

A Brief History of Past Incidents

The recent arson cases echo similar incidents from the 2020 election cycle. In Los Angeles, for example, a ballot drop box was set on fire, damaging approximately 100 ballots. Another incident in Boston saw a drop box set ablaze by a man who police described as “emotionally disturbed.”

Historically, incidents targeting ballot drop boxes have been rare. However, election officials note that their visibility has grown alongside the rise of mail-in voting, drawing both increased scrutiny and, unfortunately, the occasional act of sabotage.

Ballot Drop Box Security Measures

Despite isolated acts of vandalism, election officials stress that ballot drop boxes are among the safest voting options. Most boxes feature video surveillance and fire suppression systems to deter tampering or vandalism. Furthermore, election officials monitor these boxes closely, retrieving ballots frequently to minimize risk.

Ballot Tracking Systems
Voters in most states can track their ballots online to verify they’ve been received and counted. Election security experts encourage voters to utilize these tracking tools, which add an extra layer of assurance and accountability.

In the event that a ballot is compromised, election offices typically offer replacement ballots or alternative voting options to ensure that each vote is properly counted.

While recent incidents of ballot drop box fires have raised concerns, election experts emphasize the overall security and reliability of these voting methods. Election officials in Oregon, Washington, and Arizona continue to work with federal agencies to enhance security and provide alternative voting options for affected voters. With millions of ballots already cast across these states, election security measures remain robust, and voters are encouraged to monitor their ballot status to ensure their votes count.