Tensions are escalating as the U.S. approaches elections on November 5, with two ballot boxes set on fire early Monday in Oregon and Washington. Police in both states responded to the incidents, which occurred near the Oregon-Washington border.
In Portland, Oregon, an incendiary device was placed inside a ballot box on Southeast Morrison Street around 3:30 a.m., according to ABC News.
Although the fire was quickly extinguished by security personnel, the Multnomah County Elections Division reported that three ballots were damaged.
Elections officials will contact those affected to provide replacement ballots. Elections Director Tim Scott reassured the public, stating, “We have multiple systems and security measures in place to ensure your ballot is safe.”
About 30 minutes later, a similar incident occurred in Vancouver, Washington. Officers responded to a report of a smoking ballot box at the C-TRAN Park and Ride at Fisher’s Landing. Police discovered a suspicious device next to the burning box, which was extinguished by fire crews.
The Washington Secretary of State’s Office reported that hundreds of ballots were believed to have been damaged. “We take the safety of our election workers seriously and will not tolerate threats or acts of violence,” stated Secretary of State Steve Hobbs. The FBI is investigating both incidents to know who is responsible.
Moreover, big players in the industry are betting big on Trump to win the 2024 election. In a recent report, a crypto whale withdrew $2.03 million in USDC from Binance to invest to bet on Trump on the Polymarket platform. This shows that the election results are becoming a big factor in the crypto market, as political outcomes are influencing where investors put their money.
As of now, Bitcoin’s price has risen by 2.30%, reaching about $69,193. Other cryptocurrencies, like Ethereum, increased by about 0.65%. Dogecoin saw a more significant jump of 7.3%, while Solana dropped by 0.75%, according to CoinMarketCap.
Also Read: Crypto Whale Bets Big on Trump’s 2024 US Election Win
