A blue U.S. Postal Service mailbox in Phoenix, Arizona, was set on fire at 1:20 a.m. on Thursday morning, damaging approximately 20 ballots and other pieces of mail. The mailbox was located at the Post Office at 3905 North 7th Avenue and has since been reopened after the fire was extinguished. Authorities from the fire and police departments are investigating the incident, with the Postal Inspector taking possession of the damaged mail. Federal authorities have warned about the possibility of intentional damage to mail-in ballots in the lead-up to Election Day.
Surveillance footage was collected by investigators, but the motive behind the arson has yet to be identified. Jane C. Timm, a senior reporter for NBC News, reported on the incident, with contributions from Brandy Zadrozny. The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of mail-in ballots during the election season. The Phoenix Police Department is actively working on the case to determine who is responsible for the fire.
This event underscores the importance of protecting mail-in ballots and ensuring the integrity of the election process. Authorities are taking steps to address the situation and prevent further incidents of this nature. Voters are encouraged to use official ballot drop-off locations to ensure that their votes are securely and accurately counted.
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