by Wallace White
Devices recovered at two ballot box fires in the Pacific Northwest reportedly both contained pro-Palestinian messaging, according to The New York Times.
The words “Free Gaza,” were reportedly emblazoned on the devices that presumably caused the fires Monday in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver, Washington, an anonymous source within the Portland Police Department (PPD) told The New York Times. The Portland Police Department (PPD) confirmed that the incidents are connected, but have yet to determine the motive.
“There was enough evidence collected at all three scenes that lead us to believe that all three incidents are connected, and we cannot get into more detail,” Mike Benner, spokesman for the Portland Police Bureau, said on Monday according to The New York Times.
There was a third device that did not explode at another ballot box in Vancouver, according to The New York Times. All three devices were sent to the terrorist explosive device analytical center in Huntsville, Alabama, another PPD source told The New York Times.
After the October 7th attacks by Hamas against Israel, protests erupted in the United States demanding a ceasefire in the region and humanitarian support for people in Gaza. Some of the protests resulted in violence.
Press Release: UPDATE: PPB Releases Photos of Suspect Vehicle in Ballot Box Incident (Photo)
Link: https://t.co/r71JHZWpKE pic.twitter.com/giSXMINLq6— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) October 28, 2024
In Portland, most of the ballots were undamaged due to the on-board fire suppression system, according to The New York Times. In Vancouver, hundreds of ballots were destroyed in the blaze.
While Washington and Oregon are not considered competitive states in the presidential election, Portland is electing a new mayor and a congressional race between Democrat Marie Perez and Republican Joe Kent in southwest Washington is extremely competitive, according to FiveThirtyEight polling averages.
Last election, Perez beat Kent by only 3,000 votes, according to The New York Times in August.
People who brought their ballot to the box were asked to request replacements, according to The New York Times. Clark County, which contains Vancouver in its boundaries, will place observers at 22 ballot boxes for 24 hours a day for protection.
Benner told the Daily Caller News Foundation that the device in Portland was recovered for forensic analysis and will be “examined for any unique writings or markings.”
The Vancouver PD did not immediately respond to the DCNF’s request for comment.
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Wallace White is a reporter at Daily Caller News Foundation.
Photo “Ballot Drop Box” by Portland Police.
