Devices marked with the words “Free Gaza” were left at ballot boxes that were set on fire in the Pacific Northwest on Monday, investigators revealed.
Detectives were working to determine whether the arsonist was a pro-Palestinian activist or if he was merely using the divisive conflict to stoke tensions ahead of the election, law enforcement sources told police. New York Times
Police described the fires in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington as a “direct attack on American democracy.”
Investigators have released an image of a black Volvo S-60 with its front license plate removed that they are trying to locate. No suspect has been named.
Ballot boxes were set on fire by an unknown arsonist in the Pacific Northwest on Monday
Investigators are looking for a suspect vehicle, a black Volvo S-60, that was captured on security footage as the devices were left behind before detonating at the polls
Law enforcement sources noted that while the investigation into the motive behind the ‘Free Gaza’ devices is ongoing, they have undoubtedly added a new layer to the situation that has received national attention ahead of Election Day.
A third device was also reportedly found in Vancouver this month with the words “Free Palestine” on it, and officials said they believe all three events are connected, the Times reported.
On Tuesday, Mike Benner, a spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said he was not aware of any markings on the devices but said they have been sent for forensic analysis.
“As part of that analysis, the device will be examined for unique writing and markings,” he said.
Authorities were seen working to extinguish a fire at a polling place in Vancouver, WA, beginning early Monday morning. It was one of two fires at two ballot boxes in two separate states
An image released by the Portland Police Bureau shows the ballot box after an ‘incendiary device’ was discovered in the ballot box and caused a fire
The fire burned at the polls in Vancouver, WA early Monday morning. Police say the fire was started by a device placed outside the ballot box that contained hundreds of ballots at the time
It is unclear how many ballots were destroyed in the fires, but at one of the Portland locations, only three votes were lost because the ballot box’s automatic fire suppression system extinguished the fire.
The fire suppression system did not work well in Vancouver and hundreds of ballots were destroyed, officials said.
The difference may have been how the perpetrator placed the “incendiary” device, as in Portland the device was placed in the ballot box, while in Vancouver the device was left out.
Election authorities are asking anyone who left a ballot at the Vancouver location after late Saturday morning to request a replacement ballot.
Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott revealed that Oregon County has now deployed 24-hour private security patrols to “keep an eye on the mailboxes.
The latest troubling incident comes a week after Pennsylvania launched an investigation into 2,500 suspected fraudulent voter applications.
And while Oregon and Washington are not swing states, this month’s voting fires could have an impact on down-ballot races.
In particular, a congressional race in southwest Washington between incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Joe Kent has drawn attention because it is considered one of the most competitive in the country.