With the US presidential election just days away, incidents of ballot box arson and a breach in voting system passwords are intensifying concerns about election security and integrity nationwide.
In Washington state, several ballot drop boxes were torched, destroying over 400 ballots, with arsonists allegedly leaving incendiary devices marked “Free Gaza” and “Free Palestine.”
The attacks, which Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs has condemned as “horrible terrorist attacks,” have led to increased ballot collection efforts and heightened security measures.
“Some voters now feel more comfortable coming into our building and putting it right into our hands,” said Kendall Hodson, chief of staff at King County Elections.
Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion warned that voter intimidation attempts will be prosecuted fully, underscoring how seriously the state views this disruption of election integrity.
In Colorado, a security mishap has drawn criticism as voting system passwords were accidentally posted on the Colorado Secretary of State’s website.
Though officials acted swiftly to remove the information, the lapse, which GOP chair Dave Williams called “shocking” and negligent, further fuelled partisan anxiety about election security.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold downplayed the risk, noting that physical access and further layers of protection are required to breach the state’s voting systems.
Yet, with Republicans and Democrats accusing one another of undermining the election’s legitimacy, these incidents have cast a spotlight on vulnerabilities and heightened fears of unrest post-election, whether genuine or false flag.
Image credit: Luke Thornton
