Ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon and Washington were set on fire early Monday, authorities confirmed. Videos of officials removing 'burnt' boxes from its chambers surfaced on social media. Election officials announced that three ballots were damaged in Portland and potentially 'hundreds' were affected in Vancouver.
Explaining the situation, the Portland Police Bureau said that an 'incendiary device' was placed inside a ballot box in the Central City district. Security personnel extinguished the flames by the time officers responded to reports at about 3:30 AM local time. The fire suppressant inside the box did not work and several ballots were destroyed.
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"Officers determined an incendiary device was placed inside the ballot box and used to ignite the fire," a statement from the Portland police read.
On the other hand, the Multnomah County election office confirmed that "fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots."
"Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted," the statement read.
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How Are Ballot Boxes Protected?
Like election officials said, ballot drop boxes contain fire suppresants, which are often triggered by heat or smoke, designed to release an agent—like a gas, powder, or foam—that can quickly extinguish or control flames. This minimizes the spread of fire within the box, keeping ballots intact.
Ballot drop boxes are often constructed from durable, fire-resistant materials like steel and are strategically placed in secure, monitored locations for protection. Many drop boxes are monitored by video surveillance.
.If a box is damaged or tampered with, election officials have protocols to respond immediately, often including notifying voters who may need to resubmit their ballots.