Thurston County takes extra precautions for ballot security after recent dropbox fires
Thurston County will take additional precautions to protect ballots after two ballot dropboxes were set on fire this week.
“This weekend, we are adding extra ballot pickup routes to ensure your ballots are collected safely and promptly,” Thurston County Auditor Mary Hall said in a Tuesday news release. “Furthermore, on election night, our ballot drop box collection teams will be followed by Thurston County Sheriff deputies to provide added security.”
Hall’s comments came a day after hundreds of ballots were destroyed by a fire inside a Vancouver, Washington dropbox and three ballots were destroyed in a similar dropbox fire in Portland. Notably, the fire at the Portland dropbox was extinguished quickly by a fire suppression system inside the box, the Associated Press reported.
Thurston County’s drop boxes are equipped with the same fire suppression devices used by Multnomah County, where Portland is located, Hall said.
The AP reported that the Vancouver ballot box also had a fire suppression system, however that system failed for unknown reasons.
“Considering recent arson at ballot drop boxes, we want to assure Thurston County voters that drop boxes remain the safest and most secure way to return your ballot,” Hall said.
Hall also shared details about Thurston County’s current ballot boxes to assure voters.
“Our ballot drop boxes are built with thick, quarter-inch steel and are anchored to the ground, making them incredibly durable and resistant to tampering,” Hall said. “These boxes weigh hundreds of pounds, and their design has proven resilient even under extreme conditions.”
Indoor ballot drop boxes are available at the county’s Voting Centers. The county’s primary voting center is at 2915 29th Ave. SE in the Tumwater Mottman neighborhood. This voting center will be open at the following times:
- Oct. 16 – Nov. 1, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Another voting center is located at the Lacey Timberland Library at 500 College St. SE. Here are its hours of operation:
- Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Auditor’s Office advised voters to check their ballot’s status by using VoteWA.gov.
“Transparency and trust are the cornerstones of our election process, and we are committed to protecting the integrity of your vote,” Hall said. “Thank you for voting and for your confidence in the election process.”
This story was originally published October 30, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
