2024 ballot drop box arson attacks in the United States
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The 2024 ballot drop box arson attacks are a series of arson incidents targeting ballot drop boxes across the United States during the 2024 presidential election. Fires set in ballot drop boxes have occurred in Washington, Oregon, and Arizona, resulting in damage to hundreds of ballots.
Background
[edit]Ballot drop boxes are widely used in the United States for mail-in voting, particularly in states with established vote-by-mail systems such as Washington and Oregon. In 2024, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) warned that ballot drop boxes were at risk, identifying them as "soft targets" for potential interference. These attacks emerged days before the election, intensifying concerns over voter access and the security of election systems.[1]
Incidents
[edit]- Vancouver, Washington (October 28, 2024): A fire broke out inside a ballot drop box in Vancouver, damaging hundreds of ballots. Firefighters quickly contained the flames, but officials from Clark County advised any voter who submitted ballots after 11 a.m. the day prior to request a replacement ballot. In response, additional security measures were put in place, including increased surveillance and monitoring.[2] The incendiary device was marked with "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" on it.[3]
- Portland, Oregon (October 28, 2024): An incendiary device was placed inside a ballot drop box near the Multnomah County Elections Division. The fire suppression system prevented major damage, although some ballots were affected. Security footage suggested a possible link between the Portland and Vancouver incidents, showing a similar vehicle at both scenes. Security was subsequently increased around ballot boxes in Multnomah County.[4] The devices were founded to have been marked with the words "Free Gaza".[3]
- Phoenix, Arizona (October 24, 2024): A postal collection box containing mail-in ballots was set on fire in Phoenix, damaging approximately 20 ballots. Authorities apprehended a suspect who claimed that the intent was not to interfere with the election. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes assured affected voters that they would receive replacement ballots.[5]
Response and impact
[edit]Local and state officials, including Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs and Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, denounced these arson attacks as direct threats to democratic processes. Election offices in affected areas responded by implementing enhanced security measures, including 24-hour monitoring of ballot drop boxes, to ensure the safety and accessibility of the voting process. These incidents underscored a broader national concern over election security amid heightened political tensions.[6]
Investigation
[edit]The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), along with state and local law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating these incidents. Authorities in Arizona have identified a suspect, while the cases in Washington and Oregon are still under investigation, with efforts to determine potential connections between the incidents. Security measures continue to be reinforced as investigations proceed.[2]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "US ballot boxes under attack; Homeland Security warns of 'heightened, dynamic' threat environment". Voice of America. October 2024.
- ^ a b "Ballot box set on fire in Washington state in attack on election security". The Guardian. October 28, 2024.
- ^ a b "Devices With 'Free Gaza' Messages Found at Ballot Box Fires". Retrieved October 30, 2024.
- ^ "Fires set in Washington ballot drop boxes a "direct attack on democracy"". PBS NewsHour. October 28, 2024.
- ^ "Suspect arrested after Phoenix ballot collection box fire". The New York Times. October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Ballot box fires raise questions of election security across the U.S." CBS News. October 28, 2024.