Hundreds of votes destroyed after explosive device burns ballot box in the US

Hundreds of ballots have been destroyed after an explosive device sparked a ballot box fire in the US.

A drop-off ballot box in a competitive Washington State House district went up in flames early on Monday after an incendiary device went off, destroying hundreds of ballots, local US officials estimated.

First responders managed to put out the flames and officials were assessing how many votes were lost in the drop box located at a park-and-ride near Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, across the Columbia River from Portland, Ore, the New York Post reports.

“It appears that a device was attached to the outside of the ballot drop box that resulted in the ballots being ignited,” Clark County auditor Greg Kimsey told Oregon Live.

“We don’t have the exact number [of ballots], but it was hundreds,” Kimsey added.

The drop-off ballot box went up in flames early on Monday. Picture: KATU 2 News

Kimsey told The Post that the most recent ballot pick-up from the box had taken place Saturday at 11am

“Anyone who deposited ballots after 11am Saturday morning should contact us immediately,” he said.

“Our team will replace their ballot.”

Vancouver is the largest city in Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, which is hosting a fiercely competitive contest between incumbent Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Republican Joe Kent.

First responders quickly put out the fire. Picture: KATU 2 News

Hundreds of ballots were ruined by the flames. Picture: KATU 2 News

Perez defeated Kent by fewer than 3,000 votes two years ago and the nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the rematch as a “toss-up” race.

Across the river, the Portland Police Bureau responded to a ballot box fire around 3.30am. Monday.

“By the time officers arrived, the fire had already been extinguished by security personnel who work in the area. Officers determined an incendiary device was placed inside the ballot box and used to ignite the fire,” PPB explained in a statement.

At this point, officials are unsure whether the two incidents are related.

The Post reached out to Clark County, the Vancouver Police Department and the Washington Secretary of State’s Office for comment.

This article originally appeared in the New York Post and has been reproduced with permission.