VANCOUVER, Wash. (KOIN) — Washington State University student Maggie Lind “was really excited to be a part of this election, especially since it’s a presidential election.” The 18-year-old from Camas recently filled out her ballot while on campus, then drove home to drop it off in Vancouver.

“I thought I really got lucky,” Lind told KOIN 6 News. But his first voting experience took a turn Monday morning.

“All of a sudden the family discussion explodes into talking about burning the ballot boxes,” she said.

PHOTOS: Suspicious vehicle sought in arson cases at Portland, Vancouver polls

Maggie Lind’s ballot was among those burned in three boxes in Vancouver and Portland.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said his office was busy delivering new ballots to voters affected by the arsons.

“This is unprecedented,” Kimsey said.

His team and the Clark County Sheriff’s Office will increase security at ballot drop-off sites across the city.

“We will have a person at each poll 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just to observe what’s going on,” he told KOIN 6 News. “If they observe anything suspicious, they will be asked to call 911. They are not there to interact with citizens or confront citizens in any way, just in a very discreet way.”

Similar efforts are underway in Multnomah County, Elections Director Tim Scott said.

‘Very similar’: Portland and Vancouver ballot box fires could be linked to third case in early October

If you think your ballot may have been burned, Kimsey said a voter can either go to their office or call to resolve the issues. Recoverable ballots have been counted, he said.

Track your vote in Clark County
Track Your Vote in Multnomah County

Clark County Elections Office, 1408 Franklin Street, Vancouver
564.397.2345
[email protected]

But these fires will not stop Maggie Lind from using her voice in this election.

“It’s very easy to get stuck in the mindset that one vote won’t change anything, but obviously if everyone thought that way there would be no vote at all,” he said. she declared. “So just try not to think like that.” Don’t let others control your vote.

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