VANCOUVER, Wash. – An incident of arson targeted a ballot box in Vancouver is raising concerns about election security in the region.
Authorities say a device was attached to the outside of the ballot box, setting it on fire. The Clark County Elections Office noted that hundreds of ballots might have been lost, as they were last picked up Saturday at 11 a.m. A similar case was reported in Portland, where police responded to a ballot box fire near the Multnomah County Elections Office early in the morning.
In both locations, ballot boxes are equipped with fire suppression systems. However, these systems didn’t work as intended in Vancouver, resulting in significant damage.
As the temperature rises, Spokane County does not currently have fire suppression systems installed in its ballot boxes.
Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton emphasized the concerns surrounding ballot box security.
“If somebody wants to do damage, they’re going to find a way to do it. And we’re just hopeful that people will be respectful of other people, of other people’s ballots and of other people’s participation in democracy,” Dalton said.
Local law enforcement is working closely with Dalton’s office to enhance safety measures as the election date approaches. Although Spokane County’s ballot boxes lack suppression systems, Dalton remains optimistic since they are in high-traffic areas attached to government buildings, deterring potential threats.
Dalton explained the county’s vulnerability due to the lack of fire suppression systems, saying if something did happen here, the first step would be “Gaining access to those envelopes to identify as many as we can, and contact those voters directly.”
Another reassuring safety measure for the Spokane community is the proximity of the Elections Office to the Spokane County Public Safety building, with Dalton mentioning, “It’s very helpful to have the SWAT team literally across the parking lot from our facility.”
Dalton recognizes the limits of available technology, noting that there are no suppression systems on the market suitable for the taller ballot boxes in Spokane. Nonetheless, officials remain alert to ensure the security of the voting process ahead of the ballots’ collection next Tuesday.
