Ballot‍ Box Fires in Portland and Vancouver Under Investigation

A series of suspicious fires⁣ targeting ballot⁤ boxes⁢ in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, have sparked investigations by US ‍authorities. The incidents, which‍ occurred on the morning of‍ October 28, are believed to be related.

According to reports from the police departments of both cities, a Volvo car was spotted at both scenes, and the⁣ fireproof devices inside the ballot boxes failed to activate. The ‌Portland Police Bureau has confirmed that the ​fires were intentionally ‌set.

In Portland,‍ three ballots were damaged in the fire, while in Vancouver, it is estimated that hundreds⁤ of ballots may have been destroyed. The Portland Police Bureau reported that an incendiary device was‌ placed in a ballot box on a sidewalk ‍in Central City. Fortunately, security personnel in the area were able to extinguish the fire before⁤ police responded to the report at 3:30 a.m.

The⁢ Portland police are continuing to investigate the incident and ​have ​announced plans to increase ⁤patrols around⁢ ballot ‍boxes. Meanwhile,⁢ in Vancouver, police responded to a similar incident around 4 ‌a.m. on the same day. Video footage from the scene ​shows fire and smoke rising from the ballot box near the ⁣Fisher’s Landing transit station. A suspicious device was found next to the ballot box, and the FBI has launched an ‌investigation.

This is not the first ⁣incident of ballot box‍ vandalism in the US. Last week, several ballots were damaged in‌ Phoenix ‍after a US Postal Service mailbox was⁣ set on fire. A suspect was ⁣arrested and admitted to the arson, but claimed that the incident was‌ not politically motivated.

The US presidential election is⁢ scheduled​ to take place on November 5.‌ As the ⁣election approaches, authorities‌ are⁢ urging ⁣citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.