A blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox in Phoenix, Arizona caught fire around 1:20 a.m. local time Thursday morning, damaging several ballots and other pieces of mail, according to the Phoenix Fire Department.
Local law enforcement officers arrested a 35-year-old man in connection with the incident. He admitted to the arson, but said it was unrelated to the upcoming election, the Phoenix Fire Department said in a statement.
According to Phoenix Fire Department spokesman Rob McDade, the mailbox is a drive-up collection box for mail at the post office at 3905 North 7th Avenue. The fire was extinguished and the area was reopened.
McDade said approximately 20 ballots were damaged. Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a statement that “several intact ballots” had been recovered and that affected voters were being contacted.
McDade said a postal inspector seized the damaged mail.
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer said in a statement that voters can check the status of their ballots. https://BeBallotReady.vote.
“Usually within 72 hours a successful delivery will be reflected on the website. Voters should be aware that tomorrow, October 25, is the last day to request a replacement ballot,” Richer’s statement said. “If a voter believes they have been affected by this incident, they can learn more about how to make a claim https://Request.Maricopa.Vote.”
Fontes, a Democrat, praised local fire and police departments and the Arizona USPS for their response. He noted that counties across the state have equipped ballot boxes with security controls designed to prevent physical attacks.
Brandy Chatrosney, Alex Laws And Andrew Arenge Contributed.
