Washington gets tougher ballot box protections

OLYMPIA – Ballot drop boxes and the ballots inside them are getting some extra protection.

Tampering with a box or causing damage that costs more than $750 to fix can result in a charge of second-degree mischief, which carries a sentence of up to five years and a $10,000 fine. Causing damage of more than $5,000 would qualify the perpetrator for a charge of first-degree malicious mischief, with up to 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Stealing a box or one or more ballots inside it could be charged as a Class C felony, which also comes with the possibility of a 5-year sentence and $10,000 fine.

The new penalties will take effect this summer a few weeks before the August primary.