Arson Destroys Ballots at Oregon, Washington Drop Boxes

Incendiary devices were used to set fire to ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots just days before the U.S. elections. Authorities have confirmed that the fires are linked to a previous incident on October 8, where a similar device was placed at another drop box in Vancouver. Local officials, including Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, condemned the acts as a direct attack on democracy. In response to the incidents, increased security measures are being implemented around ballot drop boxes, with calls for surveillance cameras to enhance security. The FBI is currently investigating the incidents, which have raised concerns about the safety and integrity of unmanned ballot drop boxes. Some officials argue that these events highlight the need for more direct oversight of ballot collection methods.