'Very similar': Portland, Vancouver ballot box fires possibly connected to third case in early October, police say
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Authorities gathered to address the possible connections of three ballot box fire incidents after two were found set on fire with incendiary devices in Portland and Vancouver early morning, Portland police told KOIN 6 News.
The Portland arson was the first of two that happened Monday morning with the other happening a short while later across the river in Vancouver. Police said the two incidents are "very similar" to a third incident that took place earlier this month.
"We don't know the motive behind this these acts. It sounds like a series of three at this point," officials with the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office said. "We do know that acts like this are targeted and intentional."
Officials from Portland and Vancouver police, the Multnomah County Sheriff's Office, Multnomah County Elections held the press conference to discuss the incendiary devices attached to these ballot boxes.
Portland police say officers responded to SE Morrison Street around 3:30 a.m. for reports of a fire at a ballot box near the Multnomah County Elections Division office. The county is reaching out to the three voters whose ballots were damaged, because the names on the envelopes are still legible.
"I've been with Multnomah County Elections for 16 years. I've been in elections for 22 years. This is the first time any incident has occurred, as far as I'm aware, at the elections building or in any position I've ever held," Tim Scott from the elections office said.
Nearly 30 minutes after the first fire in Portland was reported, Vancouver authorities said a Clark County ballot box was also found on fire. Hundreds of ballots were destroyed in the Vancouver incident.
Ballots dropped off before 11 a.m. on Oct. 26 were collected by election officials and not damaged by the fire. Voters can check online to see if their ballot was received by going to votewa.gov.
“I’m very saddened by this incident,” County Auditor Greg Kimsey said. “This action is an attack on American democracy.”
Portland police say they identified a suspect vehicle in connection with the Multnomah County case, which they later revealed with photos.
Portland Police Bureau says the incidents were possibly connected to each other as well as another incident that took place on Oct. 8.
"We got a call that indicated one of the ballot boxes was smoking. We found a device there next to the ballot box," Vancouver police officials said of the previous October incident. "Today's incident was very similar."
The Clark County Sheriff's Office, as well as Vancouver police, will increase patrols in the area.
"In addition to an increased law enforcement presence, Clark County Elections Office employees will serve as ballot box observers 24 hours a day, seven days a week at each of the 22 drop boxes throughout the county. Employees will not confront anyone. They are there to observe and report any suspicious activities to the proper authorities," the county announced Monday night.
Watch the full press conference in the video player below.
The Federal Bureau of Investigations is investigating all three incidents. Anyone with information is asked to contact the FBI.