Hundreds of U.S. election ballots destroyed after fires set in two drop boxes

Ballot drop boxes have faced increasing criticism from Republicans and have been the focus of baseless conspiracy theories in recent years

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Incendiary devices were set off Monday at two ballot drop boxes — one in Portland and another in nearby Vancouver, Washington — destroying hundreds of ballots in what one official called a “direct attack on democracy” about a week before a heated Election Day.

The early morning fire at the drop box in Portland was extinguished quickly thanks to a suppression system inside the box as well as a nearby security guard, police said, and just three ballots were damaged there.