Federal authorities are investigating fires at two ballot drop boxes reported Monday morning in Portland, Oregon. Hundreds of ballots were destroyed at one location, and another fire was reported earlier this month. Evidence suggests these incidents are linked, along with a fire reported on October 8 in Vancouver, Washington, according to Portland Police spokesperson Mike Benner.

A “suspect vehicle” was identified leaving the Portland fire scene, which may also be connected to the Vancouver incidents. The vehicle is believed to be a “black or dark-colored 2001-2004 Volvo S-60” missing a front plate, Portland Police said. “We don’t know the motives but know these acts are targeted and intentional,” said Portland Police Bureau Assistant Chief Amanda McMillan. “We are committed to stopping this behavior.”

The FBI is conducting a “separate but parallel investigation.” Washington Governor Jay Inslee announced 24-hour enhanced security for ballot drop-off locations. He advised Vancouver-area voters to check with local election officials for replacement ballots or ballot tracking options.

Early Monday, another fire was set at a Vancouver ballot box. Police found a “suspicious device” next to the burning box. Elections officials are counting the damaged ballots, with hundreds believed to be destroyed. Some ballots may still be processed if damage allows, according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs condemned the incidents, affirming election worker safety and secure elections. Portland plans to contact affected voters to issue replacement ballots, ensuring all votes are counted, said Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott. Oregon Secretary of State LaVonne Griffin-Valade called the attack “completely unacceptable.”

Ballot boxes in both counties are now equipped with fire suppression. Portland’s drop box has been replaced, and patrols will increase around ballot boxes as Election Day approaches.

Other fires affecting ballots have been recently reported across the country. Last week, a mailbox outside a Phoenix post office was set on fire, damaging an unknown number of ballots. A 35-year-old man was charged with arson in connection with the incident. The Phoenix Police Department said he told them it was not politically motivated.

The fires come after the FBI and Department of Homeland Security recently issued a bulletin raising concerns “election-related grievances,” such as a belief in voter fraud, could motivate domestic extremists to engage in violence in the weeks before and after the November election.

In the intelligence bulletin obtained by Current News, the agencies said some domestic violent extremists likely see publicly accessible locations, including ballot drop boxes, as “attractive targets.”

Benner said he doesn’t have any information on if these incidents are related to the bulletin, but noted that Portland police’s criminal intelligence unit “is monitoring anything and everything” related to planned attacks on ballot boxes or civil unrest.

Current News Chris Boyette, Ethan Cohen, Sean Lyngaas and Natasha Chen contributed to this report.

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