UPDATE: Enhanced security presence will be provided at Clark County ballot drop boxes

Enhanced security measures, including law enforcement and ballot observers, will be implemented at Clark County ballot drop boxes following recent vandalism. Screenshot from video courtesy Evan Bell/KATU via X

In addition to an increased law enforcement presence, Clark County Elections Office employees will serve as ballot box observers 24 hours a day, seven days a week at each of the 22 drop boxes throughout the county

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office will increase patrols around ballot drop box locations in the unincorporated area in Clark County as calls for service allow. The Vancouver Police Department also will have increased patrols around ballot boxes in the city of Vancouver as calls for service allow.

In addition to an increased law enforcement presence, Clark County Elections Office employees will serve as ballot box observers 24 hours a day, seven days a week at each of the 22 drop boxes throughout the county. Employees will not confront anyone. They are there to observe and report any suspicious activities to the proper authorities.

The actions are in response to concerns regarding ballots damaged or destroyed after being burned in the ballot box located at the Fisher’s Landing C-TRAN Transit Center located at 3510 SE 164th Ave.

Ballots deposited in that box after 11 a.m. on Saturday (Oct. 26_, may have been damaged or destroyed. Elections officials have gathered the ballots from the box and processed those that were still able to go through the sorting machine. Some ballots were either destroyed or too damaged to be processed.

Voters can check online to see if their ballot was received by going to votewa.gov. If a voter does not see their ballot as being received by Oct. 28, they can get a new ballot by visiting the Elections Office at 1408 Franklin St. in downtown Vancouver or contacting Elections at (564) 397-2345 or elections@clark.wa.gov.

Ballots deposited prior to 11 a.m. on Oct. 26 were collected by election officials and not damaged by the fire.

“I’m very saddened by this incident,” said County Auditor Greg Kimsey. “This action is an attack on American democracy.”

Kimsey urges residents to report suspicious activity surrounding ballot boxes by contacting 9-1-1 for immediate emergencies and 3-1-1 for non-emergencies.

The drop box at the C-TRAN Transit Center has been replaced.

Ballots are due on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 8 p.m. Voters can mail ballots via USPS in the postage-paid envelope that came with their ballots. Voters also can drop their ballots in ballot boxes throughout the county. A list of locations is available on the Elections website clarkvotes.org.

Ballots deposited in drop boxes by 5:30 p.m. are picked up by elections workers and brought back to the Elections Office on the same day.

Voters also can take their ballots directly to the Elections Office at 1408 Franklin St. The elections office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. and will be open Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the Elections Office is open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Find more information on the Elections website, clarkvotes.org.

Gov. Inslee statement

Gov. Jay Inslee released the following statement in response to the attack on the ballot dropbox in Vancouver.

“This was a violent attack on democracy, and we will do everything to keep our election system strong and secure in Washington. Our state and local election teams are fully dedicated to making sure every person’s vote is counted fairly and accurately. There will be 24-hour enhanced security around ballot drop-off locations.

“While law enforcement investigates this incident, we urge concerned Vancouver-area voters to check with the Clark County Auditor’s office or VoteWA.gov for accurate information about how to obtain a replacement ballot or track their ballot once it has been returned. There are multiple ways for voters to cast their ballot and make sure their voice is heard.”

Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.