Arizona Ballots Marred In Mailbox Fire, Authorities Say

More than a dozen ballots in Arizona were destroyed Thursday after a United States Postal Service (USPS) mailbox was set on fire, according toa  report.

Twenty electoral ballots were damaged by the fire set outside a post office in Phoenix just prior to 1:30 a.m., according to Fox 10 Phoenix.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego announced later Thursday after 2 p.m. that police had arrested a suspect with the assistance of “federal partners.” The identity of the suspect was not disclosed.

Thanks to swift action by @PhoenixPolice, @PHXFire and federal partners, we have arrested the suspect involved in this incident. https://t.co/DRkqz06All

— Mayor Kate Gallego (@MayorGallego) October 24, 2024

The flames were put out by firefighters responding to the scene, the outlet reported. Additional pieces of mail were reportedly also disfigured by the fire.

“The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail,” Phoenix Fire Department Capt. Rob McDade stated. “The Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, which includes Phoenix Police detectives and Phoenix Fire investigators, are working with US Postal Inspectors.”

Investigators acquired surveillance footage from the scene, Phoenix police said. The area where the fire was lit has since been reopened following a temporary blockade, Fox 10 Phoenix reported. (RELATED: Elon Musk To Award One Person $1 Million Every Day Before Election Day)

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer issued a statement on the incident obtained by the outlet.

“We are waiting for details from law enforcement. We encourage all voters who used that mail box in the last 36 hours to check the status of their ballots at https://BeBallotReady.Vote,” the statement said.

Richer’s statement urged Arizona voters to check their ballot status online and said Friday, Oct. 25, is the last day they can request a replacement ballot.