OLYMPIA, Wash. – Washington Governor Jay Inslee issued a statement regarding the attack on a ballot box in Vancouver that resulted in the destruction of hundreds of ballots.
“This was a violent attack on democracy, and we will do everything to keep our election system strong and secure in Washington. Our state and local election teams are fully dedicated to ensuring that every vote is counted fairly and accurately. There will be enhanced 24-hour security around ballot drop-off locations. While law enforcement investigates this incident, we urge concerned Vancouver-area voters to check with the Clark County Auditor’s Office or VoteWA.gov for accurate information on how to obtain a replacement ballot or track their ballot once it has been returned. There are multiple ways for voters to cast their ballots and ensure their voices are heard,” Inslee said in his release.
The ballot box that was burned in Vancouver contained over a hundred ballots. Vancouver, the largest city in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, is home to one of the closest U.S. House races in the country, featuring first-term Democratic Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez against Republican challenger Joe Kent
The ballot box in Vancouver was equipped with a fire suppression system, but it failed to prevent the destruction of hundreds of ballots, according to Greg Kimsey, the longtime elected auditor of Clark County, which includes Vancouver, according to AP news. He urged voters who dropped their ballots in the transit center box after 11 a.m. Saturday to contact his office for a replacement ballot.
