Incendiary device

As mail ballots go out this week in Oregon and Washington, Clark County, Washington election officials have added new security measures to ballot drop boxes following a 2024 arson attack that destroyed hundreds of ballots in Vancouver. A similar device placed on a Portland drop box that year was contained by a fire suppression system, sparing most ballots there. The suspect in both incidents has never been identified or caught.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said all 22 drop boxes in the county now have video cameras, internal fire suppression systems, and sensors that alert officials if a box is struck, tampered with, or opened. Officials hope the upgrades deter future attacks and provide evidence for law enforcement if needed. Washington ballots began mailing Tuesday; Oregon's voter registration deadline falls the same day, with ballots mailing Wednesday. Kimsey urged voters to review and submit ballots early rather than waiting until the deadline, to allow time to fix any issues.