LA County probes fire-damaged ballots, vote center vandalism

Authorities in Los Angeles County are investigating two incidents of possible election interference involving damaged mail-in ballots and vandalism at a voting center just days before the state's primary election. The incidents occurred on Sunday, June 1.

In the first incident, election workers conducting a routine collection discovered a small number of mail-in ballots that had sustained fire-related damage inside an official ballot drop box located outside the Department of Public Social Services in downtown Los Angeles. Officials said the damage appeared to be limited in scope and likely occurred between the last scheduled pickup on Saturday and the collection on Sunday morning.

Separately, county staff discovered vandalism at a vote center located in Cesar E. Chavez Park in Long Beach. Officials did not specify the nature of the vandalism but stated that election workers responded immediately and that voting operations continued without disruption.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office has filed reports with the Los Angeles Police Department regarding both incidents and stated it will cooperate fully with any investigation. Officials are reviewing...