The man suspected of setting fires in ballot drop boxes in Oregon and Washington state is an experienced metalworker and may be planning additional attacks, authorities said Wednesday.
Investigators believe the man who set the incendiary devices at ballot boxes in Portland, Oregon, and nearby Vancouver, Washington, had a “wealth of experience” in metal fabrication and welding, said Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Mike Benner.
The way the devices were constructed and the way they were attached to the metal drop boxes showed that expertise, Benner said.
Authorities described the suspect as a white man, age 30 to 40, who is balding or has very short hair.
Southwest Washington
The first thing for voters to do is check their ballot status online at votewa.gov.
If a returned ballot is not marked as “received,” voters can print a replacement ballot or visit the elections department, located at 1408 Franklin Street in downtown Vancouver, for a replacement ballot, the secretary of state’s office said.
Voters can also contact the elections division at 564-397-2345 or elections@clark.wa.gov.
Multnomah County
The damage in the Portland box was limited to just three ballots. Any voters who dropped their ballot off at the Multnomah County box on Southeast Morrison Street between 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 and at 3 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 28 can call 503-988-6826.
The names of the voters on the three damaged ballot envelopes were still legible, according to a county elections official, and the elections office will reach out to those three voters to get them replacement ballots. All other ballots in the box will be processed normally.
Voters in Multnomah County can sign up for the county’s Track Your Ballot service at multco.us/trackyourballot. Voters across Oregon can check their ballot status at My Vote Oregon.