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In the lead-up to the upcoming US presidential election, ballot drop boxes have been targeted in separate arson attacks in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots.
Local authorities report that incendiary devices were used in both incidents and suspect that the attacks may have been coordinated. Police have linked the attacks to an earlier incident on October 8 in Vancouver, as similar vehicles were spotted at each location.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs condemned the incidents as “acts of terror” intended to disrupt the democratic process. In a statement, Hobbs urged voters to check their ballot status online and obtain a replacement if their ballot is marked as “not received,” either by printing a new one or visiting their local elections office.
With over 42 million ballots already submitted across the country, tensions are high as former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris face off in a tightly contested race. Both Washington and Oregon conduct elections primarily by mail, allowing ballots to be returned by mail or secure drop boxes to ensure accessibility and security.