A drop-off ballot box in a competitive Washington state House district went up in flames early Monday after an incendiary device went off, destroying hundreds of ballots, local officials estimated.
First responders managed to put out the flames and officials were assessing how many votes were lost in the drop box located at a Park and Ride near Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore.
“It appears that a device was attached to the outside of the ballot drop box that resulted in the ballots being ignited,” Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey told Oregon Live.
“We don’t have the exact number [of ballots], but it was hundreds,” Kimsey added
The auditor indicated that the most recent ballot pickup had taken place at 8 a.m. Sunday, per KATU.
The fire was reported at around 6 a.m. Monday.
Vancouver is the largest city in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, which is hosting a fiercely competitive contest between incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Republican Joe Kent.
Perez defeated Kent by fewer than 3,000 votes two years ago and the non-partisan Cook Political Report rates the rematch as a “toss-up” race.
Across the river, the Portland Police Bureau responded to a ballot box fire around 3:30 a.m. Monday.
“By the time officers arrived, the fire had already been extinguished by security personnel who work in the area. Officers determined an incendiary device was placed inside the ballot box and used to ignite the fire,” PPB explained in a statement.
There were no injuries reported and it is unclear whether authorities believe the fires were connected.
The Post reached out to Clark County, the Vancouver Police Department and Washington Secretary of State’s Office for comment.
