Mail-in Ballots Damaged After USPS Collection Box Set on Fire in Arizona
Mail-in Ballots Damaged After USPS Collection Box Set on Fire in Arizona
The Facts
A mailbox was set on fire on Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona, damaging approximately 20 electoral ballots. A suspect has since been related in connection to the incident.
In a press statement, the Phoenix police department identified the arrested suspect as 35-year-old Dieter Klofkorn, who admitted he committed arson "because he wanted to be arrested," and his actions "were not politically motivated." Klofkorn was subsequently charged one with count of Arson of Property.
The Spin
After some worry, it turns out by the suspects very own admission that this was not a politically-motivated attack. Klofkorn, who already had an outstanding arrest warrant, simply wanted to be put in jail. Luckily, it also seems that the amount of ballots destroyed is lower than the initial number of 20 that Phoenix police had revealed were damaged.
Whilst the mailbox incident is stated to have not been influenced by the US election, tension and fears of political violence in Arizona remain a very real worry. This week has also seen a man arrested in connection with three shootings at a DNC office since September, whilst a 17-year-old has been arrested on terrorism charges after planning to bomb a pride event. Despite a simple resolution to the mailbox fire, it will take much more to ease the minds of many Arizona residents.
