PORTLAND, Ore. — The FBI and local authorities are investigating after ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland were set on fire.
Portland police say a firebomb was discovered early Monday morning inside a ballot box in the southeast part of the city, according to a post on X from the department.
Around 3:30 a.m. someone called 911 to report flames inside a drop-off box on Southeast Morrison Street.
By the time officers arrived, security had already extinguished the fire.
Officers say they found an incendiary device inside.
Portland Police Bureau’s Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) responded to the scene and safely removed the device.
Three ballots were damaged.
About an hour later, Vancouver police say they responded to a fire at a ballot box at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center.
Officers say they found a suspicious device next to the box.
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey in Vancouver told The Associated Press that the ballot drop box had a fire suppression system inside, but for some reason, it wasn’t effective.
Hundreds of ballots were destroyed in the Vancouver fire. The last ballot pickup at that location was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Kimsey said. Anyone who dropped their ballot there after that was urged to contact the auditor’s office to obtain a new one.
Voters are encouraged to check their ballot status online at www.votewa.gov to track its return status. If a returned ballot is not marked as “received,” voters can print a replacement ballot or visit their local elections department for a replacement.
In a statement, the FBI said it is coordinating with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office, provide information through tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI ( 800-225-5324 ).