The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of an individual responsible for setting fire to three ballot boxes in Washington and Oregon. The incidents, which occurred over the past month, have raised concerns about election security and voter suppression.
The first fire was reported in Vancouver, Washington, approximately a month ago. This was followed by a second incident in the same city weeks later, and a third in Portland, Oregon. Surveillance footage released by law enforcement shows a man driving up to a ballot box, igniting a device, and placing it inside the drop box from the driver’s side window. Moments later, the box begins to emit smoke and flames.
“The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” said Greg Austin, an agent in the agency’s Seattle office, underscoring the gravity of these crimes. Both were targeted by these three ballot box fires.
The suspect is described as a white male between 30 and 40 years old with thinning hair. Authorities believe he may have experience in metalwork and welding. The vehicle associated with the suspect is a dark-colored Volvo S60 sedan, which had a fraudulent Washington license plate and was missing the Volvo emblem from the front grille.
In all three cases, the damaged ballot boxes have been replaced. However, hundreds of ballots were destroyed in the fires, prompting concerns about the integrity of the voting process.
The FBI is urging anyone with information about these incidents to come forward. Tips can be submitted by calling the FBI’s toll-free tip line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.
These attacks highlight the vulnerabilities in the election infrastructure and underscore the importance of safeguarding democratic processes. As investigations continue, authorities are working diligently to ensure that such incidents do not undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
