Fires Target Ballot Drop Boxes: A Look into Concerns and Security

You might have heard about two ballot drop boxes getting damaged in Portland and Vancouver, Washington. This happened just days before the election. Authorities think someone set fire to the boxes, which are used to collect votes. In Portland, only three ballots were harmed, but in Vancouver, hundreds were lost. This is not the first time something like this has happened. In the past, drop boxes have been hit by cars and even set on fire. So, why are some people targeting these boxes? It seems that conspiracy theories about voting fraud have been making people suspicious of drop boxes. A debunked movie called "2, 000 Mules" claimed that people were depositing fake ballots in the boxes at night. But an investigation found no widespread issues with drop boxes in the 2020 election. Drop boxes have been around for a while in states like Colorado and Oregon. They became more popular during the COVID-19 pandemic as people wanted to avoid crowded polling places. But since the 2020 election, some states have been changing the rules for mail voting and drop boxes. Some states have even banned them altogether. To keep drop boxes safe, experts suggest putting them in well-lit, high-traffic areas like libraries. They should also be monitored by cameras and locked when not in use. But with all the conspiracy theories, some people are still worried about using them.