US election: Amid warnings of threats to democratic process, early ballot boxes set on fire

Amid warnings from US federal authorities about threats to “disrupt the democratic process,” early ballot collection boxes have been set on fire in two states.

On Monday, a box in Washington State and another in Oregon were set ablaze, while incendiary devices planted in two other boxes failed to detonate, according to local officials. Another ballot box in Washington was destroyed on October 8, and authorities indicated that these attacks were connected due to the similarities in the devices used.

In Florida, a container and a bag containing ballots were found on the side of a road, according to the Miami Herald. Officials downplayed the incident, stating that the seals on the ballots were intact and that they had already been scanned and tabulated. The local election official explained that the container and bag had fallen off a truck because the door was not locked, resulting in the driver’s dismissal.

Videos documenting the discovery of the ballots were shared on X.

Election Day is next Tuesday, but many states have already begun early polling, allowing voters to receive ballots that they can send by post, drop in ballot boxes, or deposit in person at polling places, depending on state procedures.

The Department of Homeland Security and other law enforcement agencies issued a series of bulletins to local officials warning that “domestic violent extremists” (DVEs) were planning to disrupt the elections by targeting politicians, candidates, poll workers, and judges, as well as ballot boxes, campaign events, and polling booths.

The bulletins, released by ‘Property of the People,’ an NGO that seeks to make public government information, noted that extremists were discussing attacks on ballot drop boxes where early votes are deposited.

“Some social media users are discussing and encouraging various methods of sabotaging ballot drop boxes and avoiding detection, likely heightening the potential for targeting of this election infrastructure through the 2024 election cycle,” the bulletin stated.

“Election infrastructure remains an attractive target for some domestic violent extremists and other threat actors with election-related grievances. Some threat actors may perceive ballot drop boxes as ‘soft targets’ because they are more accessible,” it added.

Another bulletin mentioned that threats were emanating from extreme right-wing groups like the Proud Boys.

“The 2024 presidential election cycle continues to reflect a divergence in current US political and social ideologies,” it said, noting that the two assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump would likely increase hostile, ideologically motivated rhetoric, as well as conspiracy theories and disinformation.

“Internationally, wars between key socio-political allies will continue to have a significant impact on foreign policy, causing cascading effects within the US political arena,” it concluded.