The Portland Police Bureau released these pictures of the ballot box and the suspect’s vehicle, an early 2000s Volvo sedan. Courtesy of the Portland Police Bureau

By Louis Keene October 29, 2024

Authorities investigating attempted arson at ballot boxes in the Pacific Northwest reportedly discovered incendiary devices marked “Free Gaza” in all three instances.

Two incidents in Portland, Oregon, and nearby Vancouver, Washington, occurred about an hour apart early Oct. 28, officials said Monday in a news conference. In Vancouver, hundreds of ballots were destroyed, while in Portland the box’s fireproofing protected all but three of them, police officials said Monday.

Investigators are still searching for the suspect. Police said they have increased security at ballot boxes in those counties.

Officials said a third, connected incident in Vancouver Oct. 8 caused “smoking” at a ballot box but did not say whether any ballots were affected. The New York Times and ABC reported the presence of the slogan Tuesday, each citing two anonymous law enforcement officials.

The officials told the Times it was unclear whether the suspect was pro-Palestinian or using that cause to sow discord. ABC reported that “Free Palestine” was also written on the device found at the Oct. 8 incident.

At a news conference Monday, officials from the two cities did not mention the slogan, sharing only a photo of the suspect’s vehicle. But they said the devices were being analyzed for any writing or markings.

Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade called the incidents “an attack on our democracy.”

“Make no mistake, an attack on a ballot box is an attack on our democracy and completely unacceptable,” Griffin-Valade said in a statement. “Whatever the motivation behind this incident, there is no justification for any attempt to disenfranchise voters.”

Voters are mailed ballots automatically in both Oregon and Washington state. In the latter, 99% of ballots submitted so far have been either mailed in or submitted at a drop-off location.

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