Authorities have identified a suspect, described as a white man aged 30 to 40 with a background in metalworking, believed to be responsible for setting fires in ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington. The suspect used incendiary devices marked with messages supporting Palestine, damaging hundreds of ballots in the process.
Surveillance footage shows the suspect driving a black Volvo while setting fire to a drop box in Portland. Fortunately, the fire was quickly extinguished, minimizing damage to the ballots. In Vancouver, however, the fire suppression system failed, resulting in the destruction of hundreds of ballots. Election officials are working to replace the damaged ballots, and voters are encouraged to track their ballot status online.
Investigators are still working to determine the motive behind the attacks and whether the suspect truly held pro-Palestinian views or used the message to create confusion. The suspect’s expertise in metal fabrication and welding suggests a meticulous plan to cause damage to the ballots. Authorities are urging voters who dropped their ballots in affected drop boxes to request replacement ballots and are taking steps to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The ongoing investigation aims to hold the suspect accountable for the fires and to ensure the integrity of the voting process in both Oregon and Washington. Voters are encouraged to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity near ballot drop boxes to authorities.
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