Oregon Counties are Ramping Up Security After an Attack on a Ballot Drop Box in Portland and Another in Washington

A ballot box in Portland was set alight during the early hours of Monday morning, prompting increased surveillance and an appeal to the public to report suspicious behavior. A ballot box in Vancouver, Washington, was also targeted yesterday.

An Incendiary Device Started the Blaze

Investigating officers found an incendiary device inside the Portland ballot box that set the contents on fire. The box is on the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.

The incident is under investigation by the Portland Fire Investigations Unit which uses accelerant-detecting dogs and specialized analysis equipment to examine the aftermath of fires. They are assisted by the detective branch of the Portland Police Bureau.

Jackson County is Using Sophisticated Surveillance Cameras and Increased Police Patrols

The incident prompted an appeal to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to increase security as the November 5 election date draws nearer.

Jackson County Clerk Chris Walker has confirmed that safeguarding ballot boxes includes sophisticated camera surveillance, regular patrols by the Sheriff’s Office and local police officers, and fire extinguishing equipment.

Footage of camera surveillance is linked to the County Clerk’s cell phone and the office computers.

Walker has appealed to the public to report any suspicious behavior witnessed near a ballot box. The Jackson County Clerk has praised law enforcement officers for their increased vigilance and regular patrols of the ballot box sites throughout the night.

Location of Oregon Ballot Drop Boxes

There are seven ballot boxes placed at strategic points that are open to the public 24/7 until 8 p.m. on election night, November 5:

• Jackson County Election Office, 1101 W. Main St., Medford.
• Medford Library, 205 S. Central Ave.
• Ashland Library, 410 Siskiyou Blvd.
• Central Point Library, 116 S. Third St.
• Eagle Point Library, 239 W. Main St.
• Phoenix Library, 510 W. First St.
• Rogue River Library, 412 E. Main St.

Ballots are collected at least once daily, but collections will become more frequent as election day draws nearer. For added security, a schedule of collection times is not made available to the public.

Public Asked to Report Suspicious Behavior

Portland authorities are appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity in the area to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at [email protected].

Reports can also be given to the Portland Fire and Rescue investigation tip line at 503 823 3473, quoting the case reference 24-276181.

Clark County Upgrades Security Measures

The Portland and Vancouver ballot box fires have also spurred officials in Clark County to upgrade security measures.

Clark County has 22 ballot drop boxes, all of which will be under 24/7 surveillance by election office employees, according to County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

He said election employees will not make direct contact with anyone and will merely act as observers to report any suspicious activity.

Kimsey confirmed that police patrols will increase, adding that the security measures have been introduced despite a costly price tag.

Washington is also increasing its vigilance of ballot drop boxes, says Interim Police Chief Troy Price.