Authorities have identified a suspect in the recent ballot drop box fires in Oregon and Washington, describing him as a skilled metalworker with possible plans for additional attacks. As Fortune reports, the individual is believed to have considerable expertise in metal fabrication and welding, evidenced by how the incendiary devices were constructed and attached to the ballot boxes, according to Portland Police Bureau spokesperson Mike Benner.
The suspect, a white man between 30 and 40 years old with very short hair or balding, was last seen driving a dark-colored 2001 to 2004 Volvo S-60, which lacked a front license plate but had a rear one with letters or numbers still unidentified. Surveillance footage captured the Volvo approaching a Portland ballot drop box shortly before a security guard discovered a fire inside the box early Monday. Fortunately, the fire suppression system in that box, along with prompt action by the security guard, minimized damage to only three ballots.
However, a similar incident in Vancouver on the same day had a different outcome. In this case, the ballot box’s suppression system failed, and hundreds of ballots were damaged. Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said his office has identified 488 scorched ballots, and staff are contacting affected voters. So far, 345 individuals have requested replacement ballots, with 143 more being mailed out.
Authorities believe the suspect may have intended to sow confusion, as some incendiary devices bore slogans like “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine.” This messaging has raised questions about whether the suspect holds these views or simply used them to mislead investigators. Materials recovered from the Portland and Vancouver scenes, along with evidence from a previous incident on October 8, suggest a link between the cases.
Washington voters are advised to monitor the status of their ballots online to ensure their votes are received.
