The federal authorities are investigating two fires that occurred Monday in the Portland area, Oregon. These fires destroyed hundreds of ballots, and another fire was reported earlier this month.

Mike Benner, spokesperson for the Portland Police Bureau, said that evidence from the incendiary device found in the ballot boxes on Monday shows the fires were connected to a third incident in Vancouver, Washington reported on October 8. Election officials reported that while many ballots in Portland were not affected, hundreds were destroyed in the Vancouver ballot box.

In a Monday news release, Portland police identified another “suspect car” that was seen leaving the scene in Portland. It is also believed to have been involved in the two incidents in Vancouver, the statement said. They said the car is “a dark or black 2001-2004 Volvo S-60”, which lacks a front plate. It also has an unknown rear tag.

Amanda McMillan, Assistant Chief of the Portland Police Bureau, said at a Monday news conference that “we don’t know what motivated these acts. It sounds like three acts. But we know they are intentional and targeted.” “We’re concerned about the intentional act that is trying to influence the election process. “We are committed to stopping this kind of behavior, and we’re working towards that today.”

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Benner stated that the FBI was conducting a “separate, but parallel, investigation” of the case. The Seattle office of the FBI confirmed to CNN that they are involved in the investigation.

Washington Gov. In a statement released Monday night, Jay Inslee stated that “there will always be enhanced security at the locations where ballots are dropped off.”

While law enforcement investigates the incident, we urge Vancouver area voters to contact VoteWA.gov or Clark County Auditor’s Office for accurate information on how to get a replacement ballot and track their ballot after it has been sent back. He said that there are many ways to vote and ensure your voice is heard.

Early morning calls to ballot boxes

Portland Police Bureau released a statement saying that police responded to an emergency call at 3:30 am on Monday about a fire. Officials said that a “incendiary” device was attached to the box’s side and that security personnel put out the fire. The police had previously stated that the device was inside the box.

Tim Scott, Multnomah County Elections director, said that while three ballots had been damaged, the other 409 were protected from fire by a fire suppressant in the box.

Vancouver Police Department reports that the second ballot box at a bus stop in Vancouver, Washington was set ablaze early on Monday morning. Police said that when they arrived at the bus station, officers found a “suspicious object” smoking and burning next to the ballot box.

Laura Shepard is a Vancouver spokesperson. She said that elections officials want anyone who placed a ballot into the box on Saturday after 11 am to get in touch with them to find out the status of the ballot. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey, a spokesperson for the city of Vancouver, said that election officials are still counting the ballots from the Vancouver fire. However, they believe hundreds were destroyed.

He told CNN that “some were damaged, and could be duplicated, and then processed. Some were severely damaged and some were destroyed.”

Benner reported that an incendiary device had also been found in a Vancouver ballot box on 8 October after someone called and said the box was smoking.

Washington Secretary of state Steve Hobbs condemned and confirmed that some ballots had been damaged.

Hobbs stated that he takes the safety of his election workers very seriously. He added that he will not tolerate any threats or violence which seeks to undermine the democratic system. Hobbs also said he had “complete confidence” in the ability of the county elections officials to ensure the security and safety of Washington’s voting process for all voters.

If you have any concerns about the ballots that were dropped at the polling station between 3:00 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Monday, please contact the Multnomah county elections division.

Scott stated that voters should feel confident in knowing their votes would be counted, even if they were placed in the affected boxes.

Oregon Secretary of state LaVonne Griffin Valade called the fire “a complete attack on democracy.” There is no reason to attempt to disenfranchise any voters, regardless of the motive behind this incident.

Election officials announced during a press conference on Monday that all ballot boxes in Multnomah County, and Clark County are equipped with fire suppression systems. Scott, a CNN reporter, said that in Multnomah County the majority of votes are cast by mail, as fewer than 1% vote in person. In Clark County, Kimsey stated, 60% of ballots come from ballot dropboxes.

Election Day is fast approaching.

Multnomah County chair Jessica Vega Pederson said that the ballot box has been replaced in Portland. Law enforcement agencies in Multnomah County, Washington and Vancouver plan to increase their patrols in this area.

The boxes are approximately 15 miles apart. The box in Vancouver is located in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District where one of the nation’s most competitive House elections is being held.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez represents the district. It is one of five seats that Democrats hold in a district won by former President Donald Trump in 2020. She will face a rematch with Republican Joe Kent, who is a retired Green Beret and Trump’s endorser.

Gluesenkamp Perez, a resident of Clark County, requested that law enforcement remain at the ballot boxes through Election Day. She told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Monday that she wasn’t upset about the damaged ballots because she was a partisan, but rather “because as an American, I see the toxic and corrosive environment we’ve seen throughout the country come to a really damaging way.”

Recent reports have indicated that other fires affecting votes are occurring across the nation. A mailbox outside of a Phoenix Post Office was set ablaze last week, causing an unknown number ballots to be damaged. In connection with this incident, a 35-year old man was charged with arson. Phoenix Police Department reported that he had told them the incident was not political in nature.

The fires are a result of a recent bulletin from the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, which raised concerns that “election-related complaints,” such as the belief in voter fraud could be used to motivate domestic extremists into violence during the weeks leading up to and following the November elections.

The agencies stated that some domestic violent extremists may view public accessible locations, such as ballot drop boxes, to be “attractive targets”.