(October 29, 2024) — Ballot boxes were set on fire in Oregon and Washington state this week in an attempt to discourage Americans from participating in the most vital element of our democracy—voting. Yet Voting at Home maintains its strength and resilience as a secure voting method. The incidents have been met with swift action from local election officials committed to preserving the integrity of the electoral process and who have previously implemented robust security measures to protect mailed-out ballots against any attempts at voter fraud.
“Voting at home continues to be a safe and convenient method of voting that maximizes voter engagement and participation. Its security features, from unique ballots tied to each voter to signature verification, ballot tracking, and ballot curing, have been on display through the response to these attacks,” said Barbara Smith Warner, executive director of the National Vote at Home Institute.
In response to the acts of vandalism, local officials from Multnomah County, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington, have reaffirmed their dedication to safeguarding the electoral process. Both counties executed security plans to address the threat, demonstrating their readiness to counteract election interference. Since 2018, jurisdictions have received $952 million in election security funding to enhance security and maintain their constituents’ trust.
“Your vote is your voice, and we applaud the work of local election officials who remain resolute against attempts to undermine the electoral process,” added Smith Warner. “The integrity of our democratic process is paramount, and any interference with our elections will face harsh legal consequences.”
About the National Vote at Home Institute
Founded in 2018, the National Vote at Home Institute is a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) organization that works to increase voters’ access to, use, and confidence in voting at home, where voters are delivered their ballot, return them by postage-free mail or in-person to a range of accessible, convenient and secure locations, and can track them online to ensure their vote is