Washington [US], October 29: Authorities in the US are investigating the suspected arson of ballot boxes in the states of Oregon and Washington, which occurred ahead of the US presidential election on November 5.
CNN reported that authorities in the US are investigating suspected arson attacks at two ballot boxes discovered on the morning of October 28 (local time) in Portland, Oregon, as well as a previous fire at another ballot box.
The incident occurred just over a week before the US presidential election pitting former Republican President Donald Trump against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.
Evidence from incendiary devices found at ballot boxes in Portland suggests the fires are related, as is a third incident reported in Vancouver, Washington, on Oct. 8, according to Mike Benner, a spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau.
Portland police also identified a "suspicious vehicle" seen leaving the Portland fire scene that may be connected to the two Vancouver incidents. The vehicle appears to be "a black or dark-colored Volvo S-60, model year 2001-2004" with a missing front license plate and an unidentified rear license plate.
"We don't know the motive behind these actions, which sound like a series of three at this point, but we do know that these actions were targeted and intentional," said Portland Police Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan.
"We are concerned about that kind of intentional action to influence the electoral process. We are committed to preventing that kind of behavior and we are working toward that goal today," she said.
According to Mr. Benner, the FBI is also investigating the incident.
An election official in Multnomah County, where Portland is located, said three ballots were damaged, while 409 ballots were protected with fire extinguishers inside the box.
Meanwhile, election officials are still counting ballots related to the Vancouver fire, but they believe hundreds of ballots were affected.
Multnomah County Board Chair Jessica Vega Pederson said the ballot box in Portland has been replaced and law enforcement in Multnomah County and the city of Vancouver plan to increase patrols around ballot boxes in the area.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper