Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Ballot Boxes

 Hi Everyone!
I don't normally write political posts but this one needs to be shared. First know that Oregon and some parts of Washington we vote by mail. In Oregon it started for local elections in 1981 and by the 90's all elections were voted in to use Vote By Mail. "VBM" You receive our ballot fill it out and then mail it back or use one of the drop boxes. It has worked with no problems until now.
The other day some *asshole* decided it would be a good idea put an incendiary device into a drop box in Portland, Or. and then one in Vancouver, WA. There is a fire retardant in the boxes and only 3 ballots were destroyed in Portland. However, fire retardant in Vancouver failed and hundreds of ballots were destroyed. It seems that there was a trial run on the 8th where a box was set on fire but no ballots where in the box. Why because ballots were not even sent out yet.
I am so hoping this person or people are caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent. 
Police tape wraps a fire-damaged ballot drop box at Fisher’s Landing Transit Center in Vancouver, Washington, on Monday, after some sort of explosive started a fire that damaged hundreds of ballots. (Monika Spykerman / The Columbian)
 

This is a photo of the suspects car.

Authorities urge voters that dropped off ballots at these boxes to track your vote voter.votewa.gov or text “VOTE” to 868392 to get text updates.
 If you live in these areas and know anything please call the police.
Our democracy is hanging be a thread and our votes count or "they" wouldn't be so worried about them. 

Nicole

16 comments:

Tom said...

...what an asshole!

carol l mckenna said...

Oh dear ~ to say the least ~ strangest election with lots of nasty things being done ~ do hope our Lady wins ~ and hope they catch the person who set fire to the drop boxes and 'hang him.' ~ lol or something similar ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laugther and love in your days ~
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Christine said...

Terrible news Nicole

Salty Pumpkin Studio said...

Sorry that happened.
But for the life of me I can't imagine what were they thinking by putting out ballot boxes on the street in the first place. It is just asking for problems.

Jeanie said...

I hope they catch whomever did this. It's unconscionable.

Gene Black said...

Sigh, folks are crazy. My friend will be working at a polling place. He said that there will be strong police presence there.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Yes, I heard about this incident on the news and was appalled. I didn't know the boxes came equipped with fire retardant though. That's wise, except when it fails. I hope they catch the criminals too (undoubtedly MAGA asshats trying to subvert the electoral process as usual).

roentare said...

Horrible stories to read here

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I heard about this on another blog, but I'm glad you shared it. I think the "other" side is worried.

Mae Travels said...

Feeling as if your way of life has insane enemies that are trying to destroy all of value is usually a sign of mental instability, but this year in America it’s part of real life. What a mess we seem about to make. As you say, one hopes they catch the vandal and have some good laws to apply to the case.
Whatever is going on, it’s good to have your blog thoughts back on line.
Good luck with your voting… mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Rita said...

I really, really, really hope they find out who did it and put them away for a good long while!!

David M. Gascoigne, said...

We are so dull here in Canada. We just vote, by mail, by advance poll, or on the day. No fuss, no controversy, no drama. The votes are counted and the results accepted. Same thing happens in Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, the United Kingdom, Lichtenstein, Andorra, Germany………..

My name is Erika. said...

I hope they are caught also. People who do these things are really anti-democratic. And I think about all the false claims one candidate has said about the past presidential election, and how much money that is costing all of us with all the needed security and new voting mechanisms. Of course, some of that is from actual threats coming from outside of the country and wanting to ruin our free elections.

Linda said...

What the heck is wrong with people?

Iris Flavia said...

Luckily we can vote in the school around the corner. We always walk early (5 minutes on foot), no waiting.
That asshole must be really afraid of the truth! I hope the voter re-vote!!

Fundy Blue said...

This made me furious when I heard about it, Nicole. I immediately imagined burning the culprits at the stake. However, I am staunchly anti the death penalty, and reason exerts itself very quickly after my immediate reaction. Too many innocent people are executed. Colorado has had voting by mail for a long time now. I love it, especially when our ballot is very complicated like this years'. An editor of a local paper said our Colorado ballot this year could be a university exam ~ lol! It took me over four hours to fill out my ballot, what with researching everything. I am all for making access to voting easier, even when I'm not happy with the results. Take care of yourself, my friend!