VANCOUVER, Wash. — A ballot drop box in Vancouver was damaged in a possible arson Tuesday morning, police said.
Around 4 a.m., a caller reported seeing smoke near the ballot box located on Esther Street. When police and fire personnel arrived, a "suspicious device" was located. An explosive unit safely removed the device from the area about 100 feet from the drop box is the St. Paul Lutheran Church.
Pastor Linda Marousek said they evacuated around 30 people who were sleeping in the churches homeless shelter and sent any kids who arrived for daycare around 7 a.m. home early.
"There were police here all over the place, so we evacuated our shelter and sent the kids home," Marousek said. "No daycare today. I think that it's too bad — free elections, you know."
No injuries were reported, police said. The ballot drop box also remains intact.
Vancouver police arson investigators are investigating the incident.
"We wanted to keep our people safe," Marousek said, "but it interferes with the work we try and do in the community."
