LA Officials Warn of Election Interference After Vandalism and Ballot Fire

Los Angeles officials are warning against election interference after two separate incidents threatened the integrity of the June 2 primary election. On Sunday, May 31, vandalism was discovered at a vote center at Cesar E.

Chavez Park in Long Beach, though voting operations were not disrupted. In a separate incident, a limited number of vote-by-mail ballots appeared to have sustained fire-related damage inside an official ballot drop box in Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk's office confirmed the incident was isolated and involved only a small number of ballots. A report has been filed with the Los Angeles Police Department, and affected voters will be contacted directly with information about their options.

The office is reviewing both incidents. California law, including a recently signed bill by Governor Gavin Newsom, strengthens protections against election interference, making it a crime to tamper with or destroy ballots or ballot containers.

Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk Dean Logan stated, "Our responsibility is to protect voters and ensure every eligible voter has the opportunity to cast a ballot. Any attempt to interfere with voting or election operations is taken seriously." Key races in Los Angeles County include the mayoral race, open seats on the Board of Supervisors, and the gubernatorial race.

Voters can report suspicious activity to 800-815-2666, option 2. Election Day is Tuesday, June 2.

Voting options include returning vote-by-mail ballots by mail, dropping them at a drop box, or voting in person at a vote center.