Capt. Rob McDade, a spokesperson for the Phoenix Fire Department, said that an unknown individual set a fire inside a blue drive-up mailbox located at 3905 North 7th Ave in Phoenix, damaging electoral ballots and additional miscellaneous mail. The fire department forced the box open and extinguished the fire, according to McDade.
The United States Postal Inspection Service told The Hill the postal inspectors are investigating the incident, adding that they have recovered the mail and other contents of the box, including election ballots.
The local election commission is working with the postal inspector to “ensure any affected election mail is remedied and that other mail is routed to the appropriate parties,” according to the inspection service.
Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer (R) said in a statement that officials are “waiting for details from law enforcement.” He said Thursday that voters who used the mailbox in the last 36 hours can check the status of their ballots online and reminded the state’s residents that Friday is the last day to request a replacement ballot.