A Democratic lawmaker in Clark County, Washington, has made a request for police to patrol all ballot drop boxes in the area after two recent incidents of arson targeting ballot boxes in the Portland area.
The lawmaker, representing Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, emphasized the importance of safeguarding the voting process and ensuring that every vote counts. The fires, one in Vancouver, Washington, and the other in Portland, Oregon, have raised concerns about potential voter disenfranchisement.
Authorities reported that the fire at a drop box in Vancouver resulted in the destruction of hundreds of ballots. Fortunately, in the Portland incident, most of the ballots were protected by fire suppressant, with only three sustaining damage.
The Multnomah County Elections Director highlighted the need to protect the integrity of the electoral process and prevent any form of political violence or interference. The FBI's Seattle office has joined the investigation, collaborating with state and local law enforcement agencies to address these incidents.
The lawmaker stressed that political violence has no place in a democratic society and called for a united effort to safeguard election infrastructure and the rights of voters. The incidents have underscored the importance of maintaining security and vigilance around ballot drop boxes as the election approaches.
Law enforcement agencies are working to identify any connections between the recent fires and a previous incident, indicating a potential pattern of targeted attacks on voting infrastructure. The call for increased police presence at ballot drop boxes aims to deter further acts of vandalism and protect the democratic process.
