Ballots destroyed in mailbox fires in Oregon and Washington

The FBI is investigating ballot box fires in the Pacific Northwest.

Researchers believe the fires in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon, which destroyed hundreds of ballots, may be related. In both incidents, authorities say explosives were used to start the fires. No arrests have been made.

People who used the polls this weekend are encouraged to contact their local election officials to see if their ballot was among those that were destroyed. If their ballot is determined to have been affected, they can request a new ballot.

In an effort to prevent future attacks on ballot boxes, officials in Vancouver have hired more staff to monitor drop boxes.

Federal authorities warned that ballot drop boxes could be targeted by domestic violent extremists this election. Homeland Security issued a bulletin in mid-September saying it was concerned the mailboxes would be a target for destruction after following chatter on social media.