King County Elections emphasizes safety, security in voting process

King County Elections staff says that despite the heightened and divisive environment of this presidential election, safety and security remain its top priorities.

Earlier this week, ballot drop boxes in Vancouver and Portland were set on fire, burning ballots and causing damage to the box.

“This attack is a blatant attempt to scare voters and sow doubt in the security of vote-by-mail elections,” said King County Director of Elections Julie Wise in an Oct. 29 news release. “Here in King County, we will not be deterred from the critical work of democracy. We are prepared and ready to make sure our voters can return their ballot safely and securely.”

Constructed of steel, weighing in at over 1,000 pounds, with no pry points and multiple locking mechanisms, and equipped with fire stops, official ballot drop boxes are a secure and convenient way for voters to return their ballot, according to the news release. Drop boxes are emptied at least once a day during the voting period, and King County Elections is adding additional pick-ups to minimize the time that ballots spend in the boxes.

Every official ballot drop box in King County will have security on Election Day, in addition to being staffed by Elections staff.

“We are working with our deputies on patrol to ensure they are aware of all King County drop box locations,” Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall said. “We will respond appropriately to any call of service where the right to drop off a ballot safely and securely is interfered with in anyway.”

King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion said charges will be filed against any violators of the voting process.

“Assaults on democracy will not be tolerated here in King County,” Manion said. “Any attempt to intimidate or discourage voters from making their voices heard will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

King County Elections staff have been trained to call 911 in the event of anything suspicious, and local law enforcement partners are briefed and ready to respond when needed. In addition, King County Elections and local law enforcement are in close coordination with federal partners such as the FBI and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA ), an operational component of the Department of Homeland Security.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the FBI want to assure our communities that we are working closely and expeditiously together to investigate the two incendiary fires at the ballot boxes in Vancouver, Washington, and the one in Portland, Oregon, and will work to hold whoever is responsible fully accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Tessa M. Gorman and Greg Austin, acting special agent in charge of the FBI Seattle field office.

No matter how they return their ballot, voters can and should track their ballot until it’s counted. Voters can sign up for King County’s ballot alerts to receive text and email alerts about where their ballot is in the process from mailed to counted. This is the best way to ensure that their ballot is received, signature verified, and ballot counted.

“These attacks on drop boxes are designed to scare you away from voting – don’t let them,” King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci said. “It is more important than ever to stand up and speak out for what you believe in. This election is your opportunity to make your voice heard and we here in King County will do everything we can to ensure your safety while doing so.”

King County Elections is open for in-person service this week in Renton, 919 SW Grady Way, and will open six off-site Vote Center locations on Saturday, Nov. 2. If voters would like to come in person, King County Elections strongly recommends coming on Saturday. Vote Centers will also be open on Monday, Nov. 4 until 6 p.m. and Election Day, Nov. 5 until 8 p.m.

For more information, go to kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elections.