October 28, 2024
VANCOUVER, WA — A deliberately set fire destroyed hundreds of ballots inside a drop box at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver early Monday morning, prompting an investigation by local, state, and federal authorities, including the FBI. The fire, which damaged ballots and led officials to retrieve them for duplication where possible, has raised concerns about election security just weeks before the November 5 election.
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey called the incident “heartbreaking” and a “direct attack on democracy,” underscoring the importance of secure voting processes as ballots are cast in a tight congressional race in Washington’s 3rd District. The district is currently represented by Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, who narrowly defeated Republican Joe Kent in 2022 and is now facing him again in a race that could impact control of the U.S. House.
Vancouver Police responded to reports of smoke coming from the drop box at around 4 a.m. Monday. Officers discovered a suspicious device beside the box, prompting intervention from the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit and arson investigators. Kimsey noted that the fire seemed to have been set outside and made its way into the box, damaging ballots collected after 11 a.m. on Saturday.
Voters Advised to Check Ballot Status
Clark County election officials have advised voters who used the Fisher’s Landing drop box after Saturday morning to request replacement ballots. Residents can check the status of their ballots at VoteWA.gov or contact the Clark County Elections Office directly. Ballot collection procedures will also be adjusted, with officials planning to retrieve ballots nightly in response to the incident.
The Fisher’s Landing drop box has been in place since 2005, part of Clark County’s 23-drop-box network, which provides options for voters who may prefer drop boxes over mailing. Recent incidents, however, have renewed debate about mail-in voting in Washington state. Before Monday’s fire, another drop box in downtown Vancouver sustained minor damage earlier this month.
Incidents in Nearby Oregon
The issue extends beyond Washington. Portland police are investigating a similar incident in which an incendiary device was found inside a ballot drop box around 3:30 a.m. on Monday. Fortunately, a fire suppressant mechanism prevented significant damage to the ballots, with only three affected. The Multnomah County Elections Office plans to reach out to the impacted voters.
Calls for Election Security Reform
The attack on the Vancouver ballot box has stirred debate over Washington’s mail-in voting system. Washington State Republican Party Chair Jim Walsh voiced concerns about the security of mail-in voting and advocated for a return to in-person, same-day voting. “Our experiment with ‘100% mail-in voting’ is not secure, because of the broken chain-of-custody issues inherent in mail-in voting. These arson attacks are proof of that,” Walsh said in a statement, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities in maintaining ballot integrity under the mail-in system.
Conversely, Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad defended the state’s mail-in voting system, advising voters who used the affected drop box to verify their ballot status and praising the state’s security measures. “Voting is safe and easy, and Washington state is proud to have one of the most secure elections systems in the country,” Conrad stated, assuring voters of the system’s safeguards despite recent incidents.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs joined the chorus of condemnation, affirming confidence in local election officials’ ability to provide replacement ballots and maintain a fair election. “I strongly denounce any acts of terror that aim to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state,” Hobbs said, emphasizing that measures are in place to ensure voters can still participate without fear of their ballots being compromised.
Ongoing Investigations
With both state and federal authorities actively investigating, including the FBI’s involvement, officials are treating this arson attack as a serious threat to election integrity. The outcome of these investigations could influence broader discussions on ballot security and the protocols surrounding drop boxes as the nation’s midterm elections approach.
