Updated Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024
Only three ballots suffered damage, thanks to the quick response and fire suppression devices installed in the ballot box. The Multnomah County Elections Division Building was not affected, and the site remains open for normal operations today. No other ballot boxes or official drop sites in Multnomah County were affected.
Multnomah County Elections Director Tim Scott issued a statement and news release yesterday. You can read that here.
Director Scott also spoke at a news conference where he was joined by the Portland Police Bureau and the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, among others. Watch a recording of that press conference here.
“We have multiple systems and security measures in place to ensure your ballot is safe,’’ Scott said. “Your Elections team is working hard to make sure that every vote counts.”
Below are answers to some additional questions in light of the incident.
How many ballots were in the targeted drop box, and how many were damaged?
There were 412 ballots in the ballot drop box damaged on Monday morning. Of those ballots only three sustained any damage at all thanks to fire suppression installed in the drop box. All three of those ballot envelopes, however, were readable.
Has Elections already contacted the three voters whose ballots were damaged?
Yes. Elections contacted and directly communicated with each affected voter, and has already issued replacement ballots.
What about the other 409 voters? What should they do? Will they be contacted?
Those voters should be assured their ballots were processed like any other ballot. If you were not contacted directly by Multnomah County Elections, then you can be assured your ballot was not damaged.
How are ballot boxes and the Elections Division office kept secure?
Multnomah County already had periodic 24-hour patrols of drop sites by security contractors. These patrols will continue. Security contractors also remain stationed at the Elections Office and the Voting Center Express, with support from uniformed sheriff’s deputies and other support from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office. In addition, ballots are regularly picked up from drop boxes.
Multnomah County applies best practices, including ensuring that all ballot boxes include fire suppression devices that react to heat and release a dry chemical suppressant to better preserve ballots. This is a measure Elections put into place many years ago.
These existing security measures directly helped prevent additional damage to ballots.
Will security change in light of this incident?
Yes. Following the events of Oct. 28, the Portland Police Bureau has asked officers to provide increased awareness and patrols of drop sites. We have also increased the security presence at our main Elections office where the incident occurred.
In addition to these changes, alongside our existing security measures including patrols and cameras, the County is taking extra measures that include increasing the frequency of its patrols at ballot drop sites day and night.
All patrolling officers and security workers are aware of state law and other protocols meant to ensure voter safety and participation
Does this incident mean voters should do anything different?
No, voters should still do whatever is most effective for ensuring they postmark or drop off their ballots by the Nov. 5 deadline. If using one of our 30 drop sites works best for a particular voter, they should do that and be confident their ballots will be processed and counted safely and securely. (Find a list at multco.us/dropsites.)
Voters can also mail their ballot back with postage prepaid on the return envelope (ensuring their ballot is postmarked by Election Day). Voters can also drop off ballots at the main County Elections office in Southeast Portland or the Voting Center Express in downtown Gresham.
Most important: We encourage voters, no matter what method they choose, to return their ballots as early as possible.
How can voters check if their ballot has been counted?
Elections encourages every voter to sign up for our Track Your Ballot service, which allows you to receive a text, phone or email alerts when your ballot has been mailed out and when it’s been received and accepted for counting. For more information visit multco.us/trackyourballot. Sign up directly at multnomah.ballottrax.net.
Are you seeing any changes in how people are voting?
We are not seeing any change to voter activity. We are receiving thousands of ballots every day. Voters can return their ballots via whatever method is best for them, ensuring they have their voices heard by Nov. 5.
Can you share anything more about the investigation or the incident? Or the connection with the incident in Vancouver?
We are working closely with our law enforcement partners and remain grateful for their support, not just in light of this incident, but throughout this entire election cycle.
That said, we aren’t able to comment on their work and urge anyone with questions to directly contact either the Portland Police Bureau or Vancouver Police Department.
How is turnout tracking overall at this point in the election?
Elections has created a detailed dashboard showing daily ballot returns, with the ability to sort turnout by contest, jurisdiction or precinct.
