Voting on the eve of the election in Oregon and Washington, surveillance footage of ballot box arsons released

VANCOUVER, Wash. (KPTV) – Newly released security camera footage shows the arson at the ballot box in Vancouver.

Last week, a driver set fire to a ballot box at the Fisher's Landing Transit Center. Hundreds of ballot papers were destroyed.

In the video, a dark vehicle pulls up to the ballot box, tapes a device to the outside of the ballot box and drives away. Moments later there is an explosion.

Police told FOX 12 on Oct. 28 that they believe the arson in Vancouver is related to a similar ballot box explosion in Portland.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey called it “a direct attack on democracy.”

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Dozens of voters lined up at the Clark County election office Monday evening. Some were there to replace damaged ballots, while others said they wanted to drop off their ballots directly at the office for safety reasons following the arson attacks.

“We don't want to put it in a ballot box because we feel like it's not particularly safe there,” one voter said.

“I would rather not have my vote burned,” said another voter.

Kimsey said last week's arson isn't stopping people from submitting their ballots.

“The number of people putting their ballots in ballot boxes was higher than four years ago, during the same presidential election period,” Kimsey said.

“I just think people said, 'You know what, you're not going to stand in our way when we vote,'” Kimsey said.

The Clark County Elections Office encourages all voters to check the status of their ballot online and obtain a replacement ballot if necessary.

Polls in Washington close on Tuesday at 8 p.m.

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