After ballot box fire, registrar is sorting through votes that can be salvaged

Ballots retrieved from a Baldwin Park drop box that was burned in what authorities say may have been arson have been transferred to the Los Angeles County registrar for sorting and review, officials said Tuesday. “That doesn’t necessarily equate to 230 ballots,” Logan said, “although it could be close to that.” Election officials will now sift through the seared, soggy pile to see what can be saved. The Baldwin Park box was last emptied around 10 a.m. Saturday, and the fire began at 8 p.m. Sunday, so residents who may have placed their ballots in the box during those intervening hours should check the county’s official ballot tracker for status updates or call 503-2445 for assistance. Elections do matter, and our residents’ voices need to be heard.” In response to the Baldwin Park incident, Solis said ballot boxes would be emptied nightly through election day on Nov. 3.. A new ballot box will be placed in Baldwin Park in a different location that has “better lighting” in an effort to avoid a similar incident, she said.