Ballots Burned in Mailbox in KEY State, Police Make Arrest on Scene

Authorities reported that a mailbox in central Phoenix, containing around 20 ballots, was set ablaze early Thursday morning.

The fire, which occurred at a mail drop-off located at the 7th Avenue and Indian School Road intersection, damaged the ballots placed within, as reported by ABC 15 Arizona. The motive behind the act remains uncertain, according to the New York Post.

When reporters from The Post checked the scene later that morning, they found the drop box missing, with only one of the two usual mailboxes remaining.

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego confirmed that a suspect was apprehended by Thursday afternoon and commended law enforcement for their “swift action.”

“An unknown individual arrived early Thursday at the United States Post Office, situated at 3905 North 7th Avenue, and set a fire inside the blue drive-up collection mailbox,” a statement from the Phoenix Fire Department explained. Firefighters forced the box open to extinguish the blaze after responding to the incident.

The department reported that, in addition to the approximately 20 damaged electoral ballots, other miscellaneous mail was also affected. The Postal Inspector took custody of the damaged ballots and mail. A joint investigation involving the Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force—comprising Phoenix Police detectives, Phoenix Fire investigators, and US Postal Inspectors—is underway.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer advised voters who had recently used the mailbox to verify their ballots' status.

“We await further details from law enforcement. We urge all voters who used that particular mailbox in the past 36 hours to check their ballot status at BeBallotReady.Vote, as successful delivery is usually indicated on the website within 72 hours,” he said. He also noted, “Tomorrow, October 25, is the final day to request a replacement ballot. If voters think this incident may have affected them, they can find more information on how to make a request at Request.Maricopa.Vote.”

Arizona remains a critical swing state, with former President Donald Trump hosting a rally in Tempe on Thursday. According to a recent Marist College poll, he leads Vice President Kamala Harris by a single point, The Post reported.

Democratic vice-presidential candidate Tim Walz is scheduled to visit Arizona on Saturday, following Republican J.D. Vance, who rallied supporters in Tucson and Peoria on Tuesday.

An MSNBC correspondent, reporting from Mojave County last week, expressed surprise that not a single early voter there openly supported Vice President Kamala Harris.

“We couldn’t find anyone willing to tell us they voted for Kamala. These were Trump supporters casting their ballots early in critical Mojave County,” he observed.

Several early voters interviewed by MSNBC shared their motivations. For many, this was their first experience voting ahead of Election Day, with some attributing it to Trump’s direct encouragement.

“Honestly, because Donald Trump told me to,” one voter admitted.

Another voter, who did not participate in the 2020 election, said they were driven by concerns about the nation’s current direction.

Earlier this week, Trump acknowledged the start of Arizona’s early voting period, encouraging residents to act promptly.

“THANK YOU, ARIZONA! Early voting by mail and in-person began earlier this week—so if you have a ballot, return it immediately, or GO VOTE when polls open tomorrow, and make sure everyone you know does the same for Trump and Republicans at every level!” Trump posted on Truth Social. “Together, in 23 days, we’re going to WIN Arizona, defeat Kamala Harris, and bring about a new Golden Age of American Success for people of every race, religion, color, and creed! swampthevoteusa.com.”