In Oregon, Washington, ballot boxes were set on fire, causing chaos

The FBI and authorities in the Pacific Northwest were searching for suspects on Tuesday after ballot boxes were set on fire in Washington and Oregon, damaging hundreds of votes a week before Election Day.

In Oregon, Portland police said they responded to reports of a fire at a ballot box in the Buckman neighborhood around 3:30 a.m. Monday. Thirty minutes later and less than 15 miles north, Vancouver police responded to an arson at a ballot box.

Later Monday, Portland police released two photos of a vehicle that investigators believe was linked to both fires. It was described as a black or dark colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60 with no front license plate and unknown rear license plate.

“We do not know the motive behind these actions,” Deputy Chief Amanda McMillan said in a statement. “We know that such acts are targeted and deliberate. And we are concerned about this deliberate act that attempts to influence the electoral process.”

McMillan said her department is “responsible for stopping this type of behavior.”

The FBI said in a statement to USA TODAY that it is “coordinating with federal, state and local partners” to investigate the fires. The FBI declined to comment on whether the arsons were being investigated as domestic terrorism.

Hundreds of ballots damaged in Washington; Damage Control in Portland

In both states, voting takes place almost exclusively by post and drop box. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee called the fires a “violent attack on democracy” and promised improved 24-hour security at polling places.

“We will do everything we can to keep our election system in Washington strong and secure,” he said. “Our state and local election teams are fully committed to ensuring that every individual’s vote is counted fairly and accurately.” There will be 24-hour increased security around ballot drop-off locations.”

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said the fire suppression system in the ballot box failed and “hundreds” of ballots were destroyed in the Vancouver fire. The last ballot drop pickup was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Kimsey told USA TODAY.

Kimsey said voters who believe their ballot was in the ballot box at the time of the fire can request a new ballot on the county's election website. He further said there will be increased police and civil security measures around the drop boxes and ballot collection will take place at 5:30 p.m

In Oregon, Tim Scott, Multnomah County elections director, said the fire suppression system in his box was working. Three ballots were destroyed in the Portland fire and those voters are being contacted, Scott said.

Second ballot box arson in Vancouver, Washington

According to The Oregonian, Vancouver police said Monday's arson was similar to an arson that occurred on October 8, before ballots were mailed. The Vancouver ballot box is in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, where Democratic House Speaker Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is trying to retain the seat she won in 2022 by fewer than 3,000 votes against Republican challenger Joe Kent.

Both candidates condemned the arsons.

“Southwest Washington cannot risk a single vote being lost to arson and political violence,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in a statement. “We must not give in to intimidation and must continue to defend ourselves against unpatriotic acts like this.”

“Continue to focus on increasing voter turnout and early voting. “Don’t let a cowardly act of terrorism stop you from voting,” Kent said on X.

Hundreds of ballots damaged in Washington; Damage Control in Portland

Second ballot box arson in Vancouver, Washington

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