The FBI announced on Wednesday that it is offering a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading to the identification of the individual responsible for the recent fires at ballot boxes in Oregon and Washington state.
Authorities are investigating a male suspect, who is believed to possess skills in metalworking and welding, linked to three ballot drop box incidents in the previous month. One particular fire in Vancouver resulted in the damage of hundreds of ballots just days prior to Election Day. The suspect has been described as a white male, appearing to be between 30 and 40 years old, with either very short hair or a balding head.
The FBI has specifically sought assistance in identifying the vehicle used by the suspect. Surveillance footage shows a dark-colored Volvo S-60 sedan from the early 2000s, which was noted to have a temporary Washington license plate that was not authentic, along with an absent front plate, during the two most recent incidents on October 28.
“We encourage anyone with information, no matter how minor it may seem, to contact us, especially if it involves a Volvo that matches the description,” stated Gregory Austin, the acting special agent in charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Our goal is to protect the American public and uphold the Constitution, and these acts of arson against ballot boxes assault both.”
William Brooks, the acting special agent for the FBI in Portland, also emphasized the support from various local law enforcement agencies, which have contributed investigators, analysts, and bomb technicians to aid in the ongoing investigation.
“Voters in Oregon and Washington deserve to have their voices heard and their questions answered,” Brooks asserted. “It is imperative that one person’s violent behavior does not violate their voting rights.” The investigation is focused on uncovering not only the identity of the perpetrator but also the motives behind these suspected arson attacks.
According to a law enforcement source who requested anonymity, the incendiary devices used in the October 28 incidents bore the phrases “Free Gaza.” Additionally, a similar device placed at another drop box in Vancouver on October 8 was reported to have included “Free Palestine” along with “Free Gaza.” Investigators are exploring whether the suspect genuinely held pro-Palestinian sentiments or if such messaging was intended to sow confusion.
Fortunately, the fire suppression system in the ballot box in Portland successfully contained most of the fire, resulting in only three ballots being damaged. Conversely, the suppression system in the Vancouver drop box could not prevent significant destruction during the fire on October 28, leading to the identification of almost 500 damaged ballots by election officials, as reported by the Clark County auditor’s office. The earlier incident on October 8 did not result in any ballot damages.
In response to these alarming events, the county auditor’s office has increased the frequency of ballot collection and has modified collection times to the evening to minimize the time ballots remain in the boxes overnight, reducing opportunities for similar criminal activities to occur.