Phoenix mailbox fire damages multiple ballots in Arizona

PHOENIX — The man suspected of setting a fire in a Phoenix mailbox early Thursday that burned several Arizona ballots indicated the crime was not politically motivated, authorities said.

Phoenix police identified the suspected arsonist as 35-year-old Dieter Bradford Klofkorn.

“Klofkorn was located and arrested based on an outstanding and unrelated warrant,” said Sgt. Rob Scherer in a media release. “While in custody he was questioned about his involvement in the arson. Klofkorn admitted to having committed the arson. Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and had nothing to do with the upcoming election.

Klofkorn was arrested after 12:30 p.m. and booked into jail on a felony count of arson, police said.

According to the Phoenix Fire Department, the fire was started in a mailbox outside the post office on Seventh Avenue south of Indian School Road.

After firefighters forcibly opened the box and extinguished the flames, several green ballot envelopes for the upcoming general election were found among the burned mail.

The U.S. Postal Inspection Service took custody of the damaged items following the mailbox fire in Phoenix.

A task force including Phoenix Police investigators and Phoenix Fire investigators is working with postal inspectors on the fire investigation.

What can voters affected by the mailbox fire in Phoenix do?

Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said authorities managed to identify some of the voters whose ballots were in the mailbox.

“Thanks to the rapid response coordinated between election officials, law enforcement and the Postal Service, we were able to recover many undamaged ballots and affected voters are being contacted to ensure they can cast their ballot,” he said in a statement.

Maricopa County Registrar Stephen Richer said voters who used the burned mailbox in the past 36 hours should check the status of their ballots at BeBallotReady.Vote.

“A successful delivery will typically appear on this website within 72 hours,” Richer said in a statement.

However, Friday is the last day voters can request replacement ballots for the Nov. 5 election. For information on how to obtain a new early ballot, visit Request.Maricopa.Vote.

Registered voters who need a replacement but do not request one on time can still fill out a ballot in person at any vote center in Maricopa County through Election Day. For a list of locations and schedules, visit Locations.Maricopa.Vote.

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