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BloombergSEP 22 2024
Arizona: Ballots Damaged After Collection Box Blaze
Image copyright: Rebecca Noble/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Facts
A mailbox was set on fire Thursday in Phoenix, Arizona, damaging approximately 20 electoral ballots. Dieter B. Klofkorn, 35, was arrested in connection with the incident.
The Phoenix Police Department said Klofkorn admitted to committing arson "because he wanted to be arrested," but his actions "were not politically motivated." He's been charged with one count of arson of property.
Arizona Sec. of State Adrian Fontes said many undamaged ballots were saved and "affected voters will be contacted." A Maricopa County official asked voters who used the mailbox over the previous 36 hours to check their ballot status online. Oct. 25 is the last day to request a replacement.
The Spin
Narrative A
After some worry, it turns out the suspect, by his own admission, was not politically motivated. Klofkorn, who already had an outstanding arrest warrant, simply wanted to be put in jail. Luckily, it also seems that the number of ballots destroyed was lower than the initial number that Phoenix police thought were damaged.
Narrative B
While this incident may not have been election-related, fears of political violence in Arizona remain real. Recently, a man was arrested in connection with three shootings at a DNC office, while a 17-year-old was arrested on terrorism charges after planning to bomb a Pride event. Arizonans are understandably on edge.
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