Arizona Ballot Box Set on Fire, Disrupting Voting Process Two Weeks Before Election

An Arizona ballot box was set on fire, damaging the twenty electoral ballots and disrupting the voting process.

The Phoenix Fire Department responded to a call at 1:30 a.m. on Thursday after someone lit a ballot box containing mail-in ballots. The ballots ruined in the fire were sent to the postal inspector for investigation. Investigators also collected surveillance video from the scene and sent it to the Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force.

“The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail,” explained Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade. “The Phoenix Fire Investigations Task Force, which includes Phoenix Police detectives and Phoenix Fire investigators, are working with US Postal Inspectors. Approximately 20 electoral ballots were damaged, along with additional miscellaneous mail. The Postal Inspector took possession of the damaged ballots and mail.”

Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and identified as 35-year-old Dieter Bradford Klofkorn. She suggested that the incident was random and not politically motivated.

“Klofkorn was located and arrested for an outstanding and unrelated arrest warrant. While in custody, he was interviewed about his involvement in the arson. Klofkorn admitted to committing the arson,” the police report stated. “Klofkorn stated that he committed the arson because he wanted to be arrested and that his actions were not politically motivated and not related to anything involving the upcoming election.” (Read more from “Arizona Ballot Box Set on Fire, Disrupting Voting Process Two Weeks Before Election” HERE)

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