Questions about election security have emerged in Los Angeles County after officials reported two separate incidents involving damaged ballots and vandalism at a voting location just days before voters head to the polls.
Authorities are investigating whether either incident affected voters as the state prepares for its June 2 primary election.
County election officials said a limited number of vote-by-mail ballots were discovered with apparent fire-related damage inside an official ballot drop box near the Civic Center in downtown Los Angeles.
The ballots were found during a routine collection Sunday morning, prompting election officials to file a report with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and begin reviewing whether any votes were impacted.
Officials said the timing of the incident appears to have limited its scope, reducing the number of ballots potentially affected.
Election workers are reviewing records to identify impacted voters and will provide information on available options, including replacement ballots if necessary, FOX 11 reported.
In a separate incident reported the same day, election workers discovered vandalism at a vote center located at Cesar E. Chavez Park in Long Beach.
County officials said voting operations continued without interruption despite the damage, according to Trending Politics.
Authorities have not released additional details about the vandalism or indicated whether investigators have identified a motive.
The incidents occurred as Los Angeles County residents participated in several high-profile local and state races.
Election officials emphasized that any attempt to interfere with voting operations, election facilities, or voting materials is taken seriously and will be investigated thoroughly.
“Voting is a fundamental right, and Los Angeles County remains committed to ensuring every eligible voter can cast a ballot safely and confidently,” said Los Angeles County Board Chair and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
She added that attempts to vandalize election facilities, damage voting materials, or interfere with voting operations are unacceptable and that officials will continue coordinating with law enforcement partners to protect the electoral process, KABC reported.
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan also stressed the importance of safeguarding election operations.
Logan said officials remain focused on ensuring that eligible voters have an opportunity to cast ballots and that any effort to interfere with voting will be addressed through ongoing cooperation with law enforcement agencies, according to KTLA.
State law prohibits tampering with ballots, ballot containers, voting equipment, and election facilities.
Violations can result in criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment.
California officials have also enacted additional election security measures in recent years aimed at protecting ballots and preserving voter confidence in the election process, according to USA Today.
Authorities have not released information regarding potential suspects, the cause of the fire damage, or the extent of the vandalism discovered at the Long Beach voting center.
Officials likewise have not disclosed the exact number of ballots affected by the fire-related incident.
County officials are encouraging residents to report suspicious activity involving election materials, voting centers, or election operations as investigators continue reviewing both incidents.
With voting underway across Los Angeles County, officials are working to ensure affected voters receive assistance while investigators work to determine the circumstances surrounding both incidents and whether any additional voters were affected.
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