### Ballot Drop Boxes Set Ablaze in Portland and Vancouver

In a disturbing turn of events, early Monday morning fires destroyed hundreds of ballots at two ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington. Investigators are linking these incidents to an earlier attempt at voter disenfranchisement.

Around 3:30 a.m., Portland Police responded to a blaze at a ballot drop box located on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street, adjacent to the Multnomah County Elections Office. According to authorities, an incendiary device caused the fire, which was quickly extinguished by security personnel. Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott revealed that three ballots were damaged. A new drop box was promptly installed at the same location, ensuring minimum disruption to the voting process. Voters concerned about their ballots deposited between 3:30 p.m. Saturday and 3 a.m. Monday were urged to contact the Elections Division.

Meanwhile, a more devastating attack occurred in Vancouver at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center around 4 a.m., resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots. The fire suppression system at this site failed to activate, exacerbating the damage. Vancouver Police discovered a suspicious device near the ballot box, heightening the gravity of the incident.

Local officials reflecting on these incidents have expressed strong condemnation. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade stated, "An attack on a ballot box is an attack on our democracy and completely unacceptable." U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez echoed this sentiment, stressing that there is no room for political violence in a democracy and called for increased law enforcement at all Clark County ballot drop boxes through Election Day.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey, concerned about voter participation, encouraged anyone who had used the Fisher's Landing drop box between 11 a.m. Saturday and 4 a.m. Monday to contact the Clark County Elections Office for a replacement ballot. He also stated that the county would increase the frequency of ballot retrievals in response to the vandalism.

Law enforcement, including the FBI, is actively investigating these incidents. They suspect that the recent attacks are interconnected, potentially aimed at disrupting the electoral process in a pivotal congressional district.

As Election Day approaches on November 5, efforts are ramping up to ensure the integrity and security of the voting process in Oregon and Southwest Washington.