PORTLAND, Ore. (KPTV) – An investigation is underway after a suspicious device damaged a ballot drop box in southeast Portland early Monday morning.

About 3:30 a.m., officers responded to a report of a fire at a ballot box in the 1000 block of Southeast Morrison Street, about a block from the Multnomah County elections office.

By the time officers arrived at the polls, police said the fire had been extinguished by security working in the area.

According to police, officers determined that an incendiary device had been placed in the ballot box and lit the fire. It is unknown at this time if any ballots were damaged.

PPB’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EDU) responded and cleared the device.

SEE ALSO:

The police are still investigating, but it is not the first time something like this has happened.

Just a few weeks ago, on October 8, Vancouver police responded to a suspicious device found at a ballot drop box near 13th and Esther Street. In that case no damage was reported.

Although similar explosions have taken place at the polls across the country in the run-up to next week’s elections. Last week, 20 ballots were damaged in a ballot box explosion in Arizona.

If anyone has any information regarding this recent arson, please contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at [email protected] or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit tip line, 503-823-FIRE (3473 ). Please mention case number 24-276181.

Copyright 2024 KPTV-KPDX. All rights reserved.