Ballot Drop Box Set On Fire In Boston

Topline

A drop box for mail-in ballots was set on fire in Boston early Sunday morning, possibly damaging dozens of votes, another worrying disruption just nine days before Election Day.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“What happened in the early hours of this morning to the ballot dropbox in Copley Square is a disgrace to democracy, a disrespect to the voters fulfilling their civic duty, and a crime,” Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth Bill Galvin wrote in a statement Sunday. “We ask voters not to be intimidated by this bad act.”

Key Background

In the runup to a tense presidential election, authorities are looking into numerous reported cases of voter intimidation nationwide, including various unrelated threats against voters and a coordinated wave of menacing emails that was later alleged to be part of an Iranian influence operation. Another ballot box was set on fire in Los Angeles last week, possibly damaged around 100 votes.

Further Reading

Fire set inside ballot drop box outside Boston Public Library, secretary of state says (WCVB)

Voter Intimidation Ramping Up As Election Day Approaches—Here Are The Claims Being Investigated (Forbes)