2024 ballot drop box arson attacks in the United States
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In October 2024, a series of arson incidents targeted ballot drop boxes across the United States during the 2024 presidential election. Fires set in ballot drop boxes have occurred in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona, resulting in damage to hundreds of ballots.
Background
[edit]Ballot drop boxes are widely used in the United States for mail-in voting, particularly in states with established vote-by-mail systems such as Washington and Oregon. In 2024, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned that ballot drop boxes were at risk, identifying them as "soft targets" for potential interference. These attacks emerged days before the election, intensifying concerns over voter access and the security of election systems.[1]
Incidents
[edit]On October 24, 2024, a postal collection box containing mail-in ballots was set on fire in Phoenix, Arizona, damaging approximately 20 ballots. Authorities apprehended a suspect who claimed that the intent was not to interfere with the election. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes assured affected voters that they would receive replacement ballots.[2]
On October 28, 2024, an incendiary device was placed inside a ballot drop box near the Multnomah County Elections Division office in Portland, Oregon. The fire suppression system prevented major damage, although three ballots were affected.[3] Security was subsequently increased around ballot boxes in Multnomah County.[4]
On the same day, a fire broke out inside a ballot drop box at Fisher's Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, Washington, damaging hundreds of ballots.[5][6] Firefighters quickly contained the flames, but officials from Clark County advised any voter who submitted ballots after 11 a.m. the day prior to request a replacement ballot. In response, additional security measures were put in place, including increased surveillance and monitoring.[7] Security footage suggested a possible link between the Portland and Vancouver incidents, showing a similar vehicle at both scenes.[4] The attacks took place less than an hour apart from each other, and occurred less than two weeks before the 2024 United States presidential election. A prior arson attack from October 8, 2024 against a separate Vancouver ballot box, in which no ballots were damaged, was also linked to the October 28 attacks.[8]
Response and impact
[edit]Local and state officials, including Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, denounced these arson attacks as direct threats to democratic processes. Election offices in affected areas responded by implementing enhanced security measures, including 24-hour monitoring of ballot drop boxes, to ensure the safety and accessibility of the voting process. These incidents underscored a broader national concern over election security amid heightened political tensions.[9]
U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Joe Kent, opposing candidates for Washington's 3rd congressional district, both condemned the arson attacks.[10] Shasti Conrad, chair of the Washington State Democratic Party, said the attacks represented an attempt at voter disfranchisement.[11]
Investigation
[edit]The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with state and local law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating these incidents. Authorities in Arizona have identified a suspect, while the cases in Washington and Oregon are still under investigation, with efforts to determine potential connections between the incidents. Security measures continue to be reinforced as investigations proceed.[7]
The Portland Police Bureau (PPB) and Vancouver Police Department used materials from the incendiary devices attached to the ballot boxes to draw a connection between the Portland and Vancouver attacks.[12][13] Authorities also found a link between the October 28 incendiary devices and an incendiary device from a separate Vancouver ballot box attack on October 8. A bomb squad removed the October 8 device with no damage to the ballots.[14][15] In a joint statement, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and district attorney Tessa M. Gorman announced an investigation into the three fires.[16]
The suspect in the Portland and Vancouver attacks was described by the PPB as a white male between 30 and 40 years old, "highly knowledgeable in metal fabrication and welding", with a medium to thin build. Investigators also sought information on a black or dark-colored Volvo S60 with no front license plate, and released two images of the vehicle in question.[17][18] Police cautioned that the perpetrator likely intended to continue the attacks.[19][20]
The New York Times reported that two law enforcement officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, claimed the words "Free Gaza" were marked on the October 28 incendiary devices, and "Free Palestine" on the October 8 incendiary device. It was unclear to investigators whether the writings reflected the views of an actual pro-Palestine activist or someone trying to "sow discord" in the United States.[21][22]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "US ballot boxes under attack; Homeland Security warns of 'heightened, dynamic' threat environment". Voice of America. October 2024.
- ^ Balk, Tim (October 24, 2024). "Suspect arrested after Phoenix ballot collection box fire". The New York Times.
- ^ Mueller, Julia (October 28, 2024). "Ballot boxes burned in Oregon, Washington". The Hill. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Fires set in Washington ballot drop boxes a "direct attack on democracy"". PBS NewsHour. October 28, 2024.
- ^ Chavez, Nicole (October 28, 2024). "Ballot drop box fires under investigation in Oregon, Washington". CNN. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ VanderHart, Dirk (October 28, 2024). "2 ballot boxes set on fire in Portland and Vancouver". Oregon Public Broadcasting. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Ballot box set on fire in Washington state in attack on election security". The Guardian. October 28, 2024.
- ^ Boyette, Chris; Almasy, Steve (October 30, 2024). "Police say they think man suspected of setting fires at ballot boxes in the Portland, Oregon, area intends to strike again". CNN. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Ballot box fires raise questions of election security across the U.S." CBS News. October 28, 2024.
- ^ Powel, James; Bacon, John (October 29, 2024). "Ballot boxes burned, hundreds of votes destroyed in Washington, Oregon arson cases". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Bagchi, A; Meyer, J; Bailey, P.M. (October 28, 2024). "Oregon, Washington ballot boxes set aflame, police release photo of at-large suspect's car". USA TODAY. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Police believe Vancouver, Portland ballot box fires are connected". KPTV. October 28, 2024. Retrieved October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Police say the man behind ballot box fires has metalworking experience and might plan more attacks". AP News. October 30, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Foran, Andrew (October 28, 2024). "Ballot drop boxes set on fire in Oregon and Washington: police". FOX59. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Bomb squad responds to suspicious device near ballot drop box in downtown Vancouver". KPTV. October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Anguiano, Dani (October 30, 2024). "Hundreds of damaged ballots saved following fire at drop box in Washington". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Hou, Joanna (October 30, 2024). "Officials Seek White Man Between 30 and 40 in Ballot Box Arsons". Willamette Week. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Portland Police Public Information Office. "UPDATE: Tips Sought in Ballot Box Fires, $2,500 Reward Available (Photo)". www.portlandoregon.gov. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Boyette, Chris; Almasy, Steve (October 31, 2024). "Police are searching for a man they say set three fires at ballot drop boxes. Here's what we know about the suspect". CNN. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Deliso, Meredith (October 30, 2024). "More 'targeted attacks' possible after ballot boxes set on fire in Washington, Oregon: Police". ABC News. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Goldman, Adam; Baker, Mike (October 29, 2024). "Devices With 'Free Gaza' Messages Found at Ballot Box Fires". The New York Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ Thomas, Pierre; Bruggeman, Lucien; Boccia, Chris; Deliso, Meredith (October 30, 2024). "Devices used in ballot box arsons had 'Free Gaza' markings, sources say". ABC News. Retrieved November 1, 2024.