20 mail-in ballots destroyed in Phoenix mailbox fire

Maricopa County voters are being contacted after roughly 20 mail-in ballots were destroyed in a mailbox fire.

The Phoenix Fire Department received a report around 1 a.m. of mailbox fire outside a U.S. Postal Office in the area of 3900 North 7th Avenue. The fire was put out and after the mail was recovered, it was discovered that some of the mail-in ballots in the mailbox were completely damaged.

Suspect Dieter Klofkorn, 35, pleaded guilty to the arson and was located and arrested Thursday by the Phoenix Police Department in cooperation with the Phoenix Fire Department’s Arson Investigation Task Force. However, Klofkorn claimed that the incident was unrelated to the upcoming election.

“Klofkorn was located and arrested for an outstanding and unrelated arrest warrant,” reads the Phoenix Police Department news release. “While in custody, he was interviewed about his involvement in the arson. Klofkorn admitted to committing the arson. 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.”

Klofkorn was booked into jail on one felony account of arson of property.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer released a statement that his office has contacted the majority of voters they believe were affected, but encourages voters who used the 7th Avenue and Indian School Road mailbox after 5 p.m. on Wednesday night to check the status of their ballot online.

“Successful delivery is usually reflected on that website within 72 hours,” reads the statement. “We will directly contact the handful of voters we know were impacted. Voters should be aware that tomorrow, October 25 is the last day to request a replacement ballot. If a voter believes they were impacted by this incident and has not yet been contacted by our office, they can learn more about how to make that request at https://Request.Maricopa.Vote.”

Secretary of State Adrian Fontes also noted that there were numerous ballots that were successfully recovered and returned to the U.S. Post Office following the fire. Additionally, he stated that Arizona counties are working to increase election security, equipping ballot drop boxes with security controls “to prevent and detect physical attacks.”

“Any attack that strikes at our democratic process carries criminal consequences,” reads a statement from Fontes. “Ballot abuse is a felony in Arizona, and mailbox vandalism is a federal crime. We are committed to continuing our partnerships that protect and preserve every citizen's right to vote.”