CNN
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The FBI is offering up to $25,000 in exchange for information on the suspect it says set fire to several ballot boxes in the Pacific Northwest during early voting last month.

Hundreds of ballots were destroyed or damaged everywhere three fires reported in drop boxes in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon – two states where most people vote by mail or drop-off ballots rather than in person.

The first incident occurred Oct. 8 in Vancouver, just across the Columbia River from Portland, when a ballot box was set on fire between 3:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time, the FBI said.

Then, on October 28, “improvised incendiary devices” were placed at ballot boxes in Vancouver and Portland between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. local time, the FBI said.

Wednesday, the FBI surveillance video released from October 28, showing an individual heading towards a Portland ballot box. The person appeared to light an object and place it on the urn before leaving. The video shows smoke starting to rise from the side of the box, then an eruption of sparks and flames is visible.

Authorities believe the same suspect is responsible for all three fires.

The vehicle was described by the FBI as an early 2003 to 2004 Volvo S-60 sedan, dark in color, with dark wheels and a light-colored interior.

The car did not have a Volvo logo on the front grille, and at the time of the October 28 incidents, it had a fake temporary Washington license plate on the rear – which the FBI believes may no longer be on the vehicle.

The FBI described the driver as a white man with thinning hair, between 30 and 40 years old. It is believed the man may have some experience in metalworking and welding, the FBI said.

Portland Police previously described “very detailed” welding on the incendiary devices, saying the suspect “obviously has some skills in this area,” as CNN reported.

Nearly 500 damaged ballots were recovered from one of the ballot boxes set on fire in Vancouver, while most of the ballots in Portland survived thanks to the extinguishing agent installed in the box, according to election officials.

Election workers said they were able to mail hundreds of replacement ballots to affected voters — although several were unidentifiable and some ballots may have been completely burned to ashes, officials said at the time.

In Oregon and Washington, voting is done almost entirely by mail or by drop-off ballots. Less than 1% of residents in Multnomah County, Oregon, vote in person, said county elections director Tim Scott.

In Clark County, Washington, 60% of ballots received come from the polls and 40% are received by mail, according to Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.

The incidents, which occurred just days before polling day, prompted authorities to step up security around polls in the region, including conducting police car patrols.