Authorities did not say how many ballots were damaged in the fire.
A fire that damaged ballots at a drop-off box outside the Baldwin Park library Sunday night, Oct.18, is being investigated as arson, county officials said. Authorities did not say how many ballots were damaged and investigators haven’t arrested a suspect. “This is the only occurrence of damage like this so far. This is the very first,” said Mike Sanchez, spokesman for the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder’s office. There are over 400 drop-off boxes in the county, he added. The Registrar-Recorder’s office asked for an investigation through local law enforcement and reported the incident to the FBI and the Attorney General for investigation. “The Registrar’s office has acquired and is reviewing all material collected to determine the appropriate notifications to voters whose ballots may have been impacted and will ensure they can exercise their fundamental right to vote,” according to a statement from the Registrar’s office. The Registrar’s office closed the damaged drop-off box in front of the library at 4181 Baldwin Park Blvd. and will be increasing the frequency of ballot pickups at all other boxes. County staff last picked up ballots at the drop off box on Saturday at 10:10 a.
