In a troubling incident on Monday morning, a ballot box in Vancouver, Washington, was deliberately set ablaze, potentially damaging hundreds of ballots. Authorities are now investigating whether this incident is linked to similar recent arson cases in Portland and Southwest Washington.
The fire broke out around 4 a.m. at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center ballot box, with heavy smoke seen rising from the scene. Police, along with members of the Metro Explosive Disposal Unit (MEDU), responded quickly and safely removed a suspicious device found next to the ballot box before extinguishing the fire. The incident prompted immediate investigations by the Vancouver Police Department and the FBI, which is now leading the inquiry.
The Clark County Elections Auditor reported that hundreds of ballots were inside the box at the time of the arson, with only a handful potentially salvageable. Voters who deposited ballots at this location after 11 a.m. Saturday are urged to contact the Auditor’s Office for a replacement.
The FBI is coordinating with state and local authorities, looking into potential connections to a recent Portland arson, where an incendiary device caused a fire inside another ballot box, damaging three ballots. In Vancouver, investigators found that the ballot box’s fire suppression system had failed.
Police released an image of a suspect vehicle believed to be associated with the incidents. Should the arsonist be apprehended, they may face charges, including possession and manufacture of a destructive device, reckless burning, and several election-related crimes.
Authorities are reminding Washington voters that ballots must be submitted by 8 p.m. on Election Day, November 5. In addition to USPS mail, ballots can be dropped at any designated ballot box location listed on Clark County’s official website.
This case remains under investigation, with updates expected as more details emerge.
