Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(142,395 posts)
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 01:42 PM Oct 28

Ballot drop boxes set on fire in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash.

Source: NBC News

Oct. 28, 2024, 1:10 PM EDT


Ballot drop boxes in Portland, Oregon, and neighboring Vancouver, Washington, were set on fire early Monday morning, police said, just over a week out from Election Day. Local officials said three ballots were damaged in Portland while potentially “hundreds” were affected in Vancouver.

The Portland Police Bureau said an "incendiary device" was placed inside of a sidewalk ballot box in the Central City district. By the time officers responded to reports at about 3:30 a.m. local time, security personnel in the area had extinguished the flames.

"Officers determined an incendiary device was placed inside the ballot box and used to ignite the fire," a statement from the Portland police read, adding that the bureau's Explosive Disposal Unit removed the mechanism. Portland police were continuing to investigate the incident.

A statement from the Multnomah County election office said that "fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots." "Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted," the statement read.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/ballot-boxes-set-fire-portland-vancouver-rcna177611

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ballot drop boxes set on fire in Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Wash. (Original Post) BumRushDaShow Oct 28 OP
Conservative values at work BOSSHOG Oct 28 #1
I'm sure that whatever "sovereign citizen" did this, they feel perfectly justified. That's where we're at. Walleye Oct 28 #2
betcha Bundys.. samnsara Oct 28 #3
BALLOT BURNING: The Clark Co. auditor said hundreds of ballots were inside the box at the time of the burning, and maybe riversedge Oct 28 #4
Multnomah County -- Go to (http://multnomah.ballottrax.net) to check ballot status; Clark County -- Go to (http://votewa.g riversedge Oct 28 #5
Picture of burning ballot boxes riversedge Oct 28 #7
Maga 101: If you can't vote and win. Cheat and steal... nt EarthFirst Oct 28 #6
Hundreds of ballots possibly burned after Vancouver ballot box arson: FBI investigating riversedge Oct 28 #8
the last pickup being 11AM Saturday. Clark County Elections ballot drop box at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center riversedge Oct 28 #13
Vancouver WA is the home of the Proud Boys. maxsolomon Oct 28 #9
This is so stupid... slightlv Oct 28 #10
Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR are blue-leaning SpankMe Oct 28 #17
I know the cities are blue-leaning... slightlv Oct 28 #20
I know the cities are blue-leaning... slightlv Oct 28 #20
The penalties for election vandalism have needed moniss Oct 28 #11
Portland had a fire suppressant in the box. love_katz Oct 28 #12
VOTE people! love_katz Oct 28 #14
I live in Oregon across the Columbia River from Vancouver. There is a very competitive Congressional race going on mommymarine2003 Oct 28 #15
Vancouver WA is the HQ of the Proud Boys Fiendish Thingy Oct 28 #16
There's some serious ELECTION FRAUD. DOJ pleeeese. You oughta be able to find out who did these? Evolve Dammit Oct 28 #18
WA state info - Here is a PDF file that tells you if an INSIDE drop box is available. I plan on doing that. KewlKat Oct 28 #19
Can Biden and/or the Justice Department do anything about this Jit423 Oct 28 #22
From the article BumRushDaShow Oct 29 #23

Walleye

(35,678 posts)
2. I'm sure that whatever "sovereign citizen" did this, they feel perfectly justified. That's where we're at.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 01:46 PM
Oct 28

riversedge

(73,132 posts)
4. BALLOT BURNING: The Clark Co. auditor said hundreds of ballots were inside the box at the time of the burning, and maybe
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 01:56 PM
Oct 28


BALLOT BURNING: The Clark Co. auditor said hundreds of ballots were inside the box at the time of the burning, and maybe only a few can be saved.
Voters who dropped off ballots at that location after Sunday need to contact the Auditor's Office IMMEDIATELY


riversedge

(73,132 posts)
5. Multnomah County -- Go to (http://multnomah.ballottrax.net) to check ballot status; Clark County -- Go to (http://votewa.g
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 01:59 PM
Oct 28



@KatieDaviscourt
*** IMPORTANT***

Clark County — Go to (http://votewa.gov) to check ballot status

If you were impacted, contact the Clark County Auditor's office to request a replacement ballot: http://clark.wa.gov/elections

Multnomah County — Go to (http://multnomah.ballottrax.net) to check ballot status


riversedge

(73,132 posts)
13. the last pickup being 11AM Saturday. Clark County Elections ballot drop box at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:17 PM
Oct 28




The Clark County Elections ballot drop box at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center was lit on fire this morning. Clark Co. Auditor Greg Kimsey says hundreds of ballots were inside at the time, the last pickup being 11AM Saturday. Full story here https://katu.com/news/local/vancouver-ballot-box-seen-smoking-same-morning-as-portland-ballot-box-arson @KATUNews


slightlv

(4,332 posts)
10. This is so stupid...
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:07 PM
Oct 28

don't they realize it also impacts their own votes? Or are they so sure Harris is going to win that they don't trust their own people to vote?

It seems like everyone and their brother has some type of camera aimed at a mailbox or a front door these days. I think it ought to be an automatic response that anytime a drop box is placed somewhere, a camera is trained on that box... maybe sending back digital pics at frequent intervals. If these red light cameras can catch cars, surely we can catch these magats setting the boxes on fire! All of this IS going to make us change the way we vote... and maybe not in a way Cleta is planning for it. Maybe we'll have all Republicans go to certain places or boxes to vote... such that there votes are all in a central place, while Democrats continue voting by mail-in, walk-in, drop box, or early in-person voting. Or maybe we find a way to freaking secure a network and everyone vote digitally. Cleta Mitchell's group is trying to change the way we vote... maybe even trying to make sure we *can't* vote... but the worm doesn't have to turn in her favor.

SpankMe

(3,250 posts)
17. Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR are blue-leaning
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:30 PM
Oct 28

It'll be hard for Trump to get a majority in these cities. So, burning a small number of ballots - even if they're mostly Democratic votes - wouldn't make a difference.

Since right-wingers have been vilifying ballot boxes, Republicans probably don't use them a whole lot. So, the arsonists probably believe they're destroying mostly Democratic votes.

This feels more like some form of "statement" by the perpetrators: "Your votes in drop boxes won't work." This is terrorism in my opinion. I wish there were resources for cameras at these boxes so the perps can be seen and caught.

We have no idea who did this. So, we're only guessing that it was right-wingers. It sounds like their MO. But lets be cautious.

slightlv

(4,332 posts)
20. I know the cities are blue-leaning...
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 05:49 PM
Oct 28

not only do I have friends there, but I've wanted to move there since forever. Just have never been able to afford it. And yes, based on other cases, this is a right-wing MO, but I'm a bit over with the being cautious. I know there's hassles around world meetings, etc., with the anarchists, but I can't see anarchists doing this. This is so much a right wing thing... especially since its drop boxes. Just my (very jaded) opinion by now, I'll readily and blushingly admit that. But I absolutely agree with you on the terrorism part, the only thing I hate is that we've never gotten laws passed on domestic terrorism, and this seems to be where most of it is coming from, no matter was trump says!

I do want to say how much I enjoy videos of the area, and the stories of friends who have or still live there. I do long for a large community of like minded folks. We have our small groups of friends here, but it isn't the same as feeling free enough to walk down the street and proudly be who you really are inside, without fear of who is going to see or hear you.

slightlv

(4,332 posts)
20. I know the cities are blue-leaning...
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 05:49 PM
Oct 28

not only do I have friends there, but I've wanted to move there since forever. Just have never been able to afford it. And yes, based on other cases, this is a right-wing MO, but I'm a bit over with the being cautious. I know there's hassles around world meetings, etc., with the anarchists, but I can't see anarchists doing this. This is so much a right wing thing... especially since its drop boxes. Just my (very jaded) opinion by now, I'll readily and blushingly admit that. But I absolutely agree with you on the terrorism part, the only thing I hate is that we've never gotten laws passed on domestic terrorism, and this seems to be where most of it is coming from, no matter was trump says!

I do want to say how much I enjoy videos of the area, and the stories of friends who have or still live there. I do long for a large community of like minded folks. We have our small groups of friends here, but it isn't the same as feeling free enough to walk down the street and proudly be who you really are inside, without fear of who is going to see or hear you.

moniss

(5,752 posts)
11. The penalties for election vandalism have needed
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:11 PM
Oct 28

to be upgraded for a very long time. Destruction of ballots, stealing ballots etc. should be 10 years mandatory no early release. Vandalizing or stealing yard signs should be 5 years mandatory no early release. The problem will become very rare instead of being very common. Knowingly dispensing false information about voting, registration, polling places etc. should also be 5-10 years mandatory no early release. Causing a disturbance at the polls with voters either inside or outside should get 5-10 mandatory no early release. All of these should be classed as high level felonies. I am way past done with people turning the election process in this country into a war zone.

As it is now in many states these things are a mishmash of misdemeanors, possible felonies and usually slap on the wrist enforcement/penalties. Half hearted investigations and prosecutions are the rule rather than the exception and can carry almost a "protected" scenario if the criminal and the prosecutor are both of the same party.

love_katz

(2,804 posts)
12. Portland had a fire suppressant in the box.
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:14 PM
Oct 28

It helped. Only three ballots were burned.

It is really sad and infuriating, that things have come to this.

love_katz

(2,804 posts)
14. VOTE people!
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:18 PM
Oct 28

There wouldn't be all these efforts to suppress your vote or destroy your ballot if voting wasn't important.

mommymarine2003

(295 posts)
15. I live in Oregon across the Columbia River from Vancouver. There is a very competitive Congressional race going on
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 02:20 PM
Oct 28

in SW Washington. The current congressperson is a Democrat, Marie Perez, having defeated Republican Joe Kent two years ago. He had won out over Herrera-Beutler two years ago, a Republican who had voted to impeach Trump. Perez is running again against Republican Joe Kent. He is very much to the right. I can't wait for the commercials to be over. Living on the border of two states means we get tons of commercials for both states. I hope Washington starts using fire suppressants in their drop boxes in the future.

Jit423

(296 posts)
22. Can Biden and/or the Justice Department do anything about this
Mon Oct 28, 2024, 09:06 PM
Oct 28

like enforcing a harsh national law with automatic jail time for offenders? May camera or some other way to ID and track offenders.

BumRushDaShow

(142,395 posts)
23. From the article
Tue Oct 29, 2024, 04:10 AM
Oct 29
The FBI was investigating, and no further details were immediately available, Vancouver police said.


People seem to not know or understand that every big city has some kind of federal criminal investigative presence (FBI, ATF, etc) and have "partnerships" with local LEO, where they work together when incidents like this happen, will decide on who will take a "lead", and will come up with what type of support services are needed to shepherd the investigation along.

And this -

like enforcing a harsh national law with automatic jail time for offenders?


Do you have a link to such a "harsh national law with automatic jail time for offenders?"

In the United States, we haven't gone to fascism yet but there seems to be a push to do so here on DU. There is something called "due process" meaning the COURTS (and juries) will decide from the evidence presented to them, whether there is enough proof that the accused actually did the crime, did violate the law, and whether what was done was enough to mete out any punishment.

DU continues to spread misinformation about what the federal civil service does and purportedly doesn't do, for some bizarre reason.
Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Ballot drop boxes set on ...