VANCOUVER, Wash. (KATU) – On Monday morning, October 28, two ballot drop boxes in southwest Washington and northwest Oregon were found smoking, with hundreds of ballots potentially damaged.

COVERAGE: Hundreds of ballots may have been burned after Vancouver ballot box arson: FBI investigating

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek issued the following statement:

“Voter intimidation or any other criminal act to jeopardize the upcoming election is un-American and will not be tolerated,” Kotek said of the Oregon ballot box fire. “I commend the quick response of Multnomah County Elections and law enforcement in ensuring Oregon voters can cast their ballots safely in this election.”

Multnomah County officials said only three ballots were damaged by the fire extinguisher in the box that protected virtually all of the ballots, and the three voters were being contacted. However, the arson at the Vancouver ballot box could have damaged hundreds of ballots.

The Washington State Department issued an official statement to KATU on Monday morning:

“This morning, the Secretary of State’s Office received reports of a suspected incendiary device left in a mailbox in Vancouver, WA. Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI – Portland and the Vancouver Police Department, responded immediately to the scene.

While an investigation is ongoing, we believe some ballots may have been damaged. We are confident that the Clark County Auditor’s Office will work diligently to ensure that all affected voters receive replacement ballots in a timely manner to participate in the 2024 general election.

“We take the safety of our poll workers seriously and will not tolerate threats or acts of violence intended to undermine the democratic process,” said Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. “I strongly condemn any acts of terrorism intended to disrupt lawful and fair elections in Washington state.” “Despite this incident, I have full confidence in the ability of our county elections official to make Washington’s elections safe and secure for all voters.”

It is still unclear whether the two incidents were related.

The Oregon Republican Party said on X: “Violence, chaos and destruction have no place in America. The Oregon Republican Party condemns this and all acts of destruction, including a similar incident in Multnomah County.”

MULTNOMAH ELECTION FIRE: Incendiary device causes fire at ballot box in Southeast Portland: Only 3 ballots damaged

Oregon Secretary of State Griffin-Valade responded to the ballot box fire in Multnomah County: “Whatever the motivation behind this incident, there is no justification for attempting to disenfranchise voters.”

“I want to commend the Multnomah County Elections Department. Only three ballots were affected by this event and those voters will be contacted so the issue can be resolved. This demonstrates that our systems are safe and secure,” Griffin-Valade said in a Multnomah county news release.

An FBI spokesperson issued a statement saying the FBI is working with federal, state and local partners to actively investigate the two incidents in Vancouver and Portland. “Anyone with information is asked to contact the nearest FBI office and provide information.” Tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324).

On October 8, it was reported that smoking was occurring at another Vancouver ballot box at 13th and Esther Streets because a “suspicious device” was left near the ballot box. So far there are no clear connections between the two incidents.

SEE ALSO:Vancouver ballot box visibly burned after police remove ‘suspicious device’

Washington State Republicans Chairman Jim Walsh says Washington needs to vote in person again on Election Day.

“Our experiment with ‘100% mail-in voting’ is not secure because mail-in voting involves chain of custody issues. These arson attacks are proof of that,” Walsh said.

@Oregon_GOP on X

KATU has reached out to Oregon Democrats for comment.

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden both commented on the incident.

“The idea that anyone would burn ballots is an attack on the heart of our democracy,” Merkley said. “We must recognize as Americans that we must stand together for the integrity of our voting system starting at registration.”

Wyden said law enforcement must “move quickly and responsibly” to prosecute the suspects. “I want to make it clear that regardless of your political persuasion, this behavior disrupting ballot boxes will always be considered completely unacceptable under my watch.”

House Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez issued the following statement about the ballot box fire in Vancouver:

“Earlier this morning, a ballot drop box was set on fire at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center, destroying hundreds of ballots. I am incredibly grateful to the local first responders who quickly got to the scene, put out the fire and saved as many ballots as possible.

There is absolutely no place in our democracy for political violence or interference against our fellow citizens, poll workers or election infrastructure. I hope that the perpetrator of this reprehensible act is caught quickly – and that local and federal law enforcement have my full support in keeping our democratic process safe and secure.

Our right to vote must be protected under all circumstances. We must not give in to intimidation and must continue to defend ourselves against unpatriotic acts like these. Your vote is important, so I encourage anyone who cast a ballot at the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center this weekend to contact the Clark County Elections Office and request a replacement.

I am requesting that an overnight police presence be posted at all ballot drop boxes in Clark County until Election Day. Southwest Washington cannot risk a single vote being lost to arson and political violence. I will continue to monitor this situation closely and share resources and updates with constituents who may be impacted.”

Voters who cast their ballots at the 3510 SE 164th Avenue location after 11 a.m. Saturday must contact the auditor’s office for a new ballot as soon as possible Here.

Candidate Joe Kent tweeted a video in response to the incident.

The Washington Secretary of State Office encourages voters to check their ballot status online atwww.votewa.gov to track return status. “If a returned ballot is not marked as received, voters can print a replacement ballot or request it online from their county elections office.”