Incendiary device starts fire inside SE Portland ballot box: Only 3 ballots damaged

PORTLAND, Ore. — An investigation is underway after an incendiary device was discovered inside a ballot box in Portland early Monday morning.

On Oc. 28, at approximately 3:30 a.m., officers were sent to reports of a fire at a ballot box located in the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street.

By the time officers arrived, security personnel in the area had already extinguished the fire.

Investigators say an incendiary device had been placed inside the ballot box, igniting the fire.

The Portland Police Bureau’s Explosive Disposal Unit responded to the scene and successfully cleared the device.

Multnomah County later said fire suppressant inside the ballot box protected virtually all the ballots. Only three ballots suffered damage, and Elections will contact those three voters, via unique identifiers on their ballot envelopes, so they can receive replacement ballots.

“Voters should be assured that even if their ballots were in the affected box, their votes will be counted,” the county said in a press release.

The Multnomah County Elections Division Building was not affected, and the site is open for normal operations today. Security teams patrol and monitor ballot boxes 24/7. No other ballot boxes or official drop sites in Multnomah County were affected.

Anyone who dropped their ballot into the ballot box on SE Belmont between 3:30 p.m. Saturday Oct. 26, and Monday at 3 a.m. should reach out to Elections at 503-988-6826 if they have any concerns.

“We have multiple systems and security measures in place to ensure your ballot is safe,’’ Elections Director Tim Scott said. “Your Elections team is working hard to make sure that every vote counts.”

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit also responded to the scene. This unit utilizes specialized training and equipment, including accelerant-detecting dogs, to investigate fires.

Anyone with information regarding this arson case is urged to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Investigation Unit’s tip line at 503-823-FIRE (3473). Please reference case number 24-276181.