Oregon authorities confirm fires at ballot boxes in Washington and Portland are connected

Authorities in Portland, Oregon, on Monday said they have identified a "suspect vehicle" that is connected to two fires that were set in ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver, Washington, Monday morning.

One fire was set by incendiary devices at ballot boxes in Portland at 3:30 a.m. local time. Surveillance footage showed a Volvo pulling up to the drop box shortly before the fire was discovered by security guards in the area, according to the Associated Press.

The fire was extinguished by the time law enforcement showed up, but three ballots were damaged by the blaze. 

Approximately two hours later, another fire broke out in Vancouver, which was also set by an incendiary device on the outside of the box. The second fire destroyed hundreds of ballots. Police officials said that material from both incendiary devices showed that the attacks were connected. 

They were also connected to another fire in Vancouver, Washington, at a ballot box on Oct. 8.

“Heartbreaking,” Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey, which includes Vancouver, said. “It’s a direct attack on democracy.”

Voters who may have dropped off their ballots after 11 a.m. Saturday at the ballot drop box that was set on fire are encouraged to check their ballot's status at votewa.gov.

Officials also noted in a press briefing in Portland that both boxes should be equipped with fire suppression systems that pour fire-suppressing powder on ballots when the inside of the box reaches a certain point. The system appeared to work in Portland, but not in Washington.

The attacks come just one week before the 2024 general election.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.