As Americans participate in one of the closest elections in U.S. history, reports of fake bomb threats have surfaced, allegedly tied to Russian sources.
The FBI has confirmed that these threats have been made to various polling places across several states.
FBI’s Statement on Threats
On Election Day, the FBI reassured the public that none of the reported threats have been deemed credible so far.
They stated, “The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains.”
This acknowledgment came amid rising concerns about election security.
Atlanta’s Early Morning Scare
In Atlanta, Georgia, an early morning bomb scare forced the temporary closure of two polling locations.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger revealed during a news conference that the source of the threat was traced back to Russia.
The Fulton County School Police responded to threats received at a school that was also serving as a polling place at around 8:15 a.m. ET.
Fortunately, after an investigation, authorities cleared Feldwood Elementary School, confirming that no bomb was found.
Assessing the Threat Level
Raffensperger elaborated on the situation, stating, “We’ve heard some threats that were of Russian origin. It was a bomb threat.”
However, he emphasized that his team did not consider these threats to be “viable.”
“In the interest of public safety, you always check that out,” he added.
The Secretary of State expressed his concerns about the motivations behind these threats, saying, “They’re not our friends… They think they can make us fight amongst ourselves.”
Minimal Impact on the Election
Despite the chaos caused by the false bomb threats, authorities have assured that these incidents will not affect the election’s outcome.
During a press conference, Fulton County Election Director Nadine Williams reported that five locations received threats, but only two required evacuation.
The disruptions lasted less than an hour, and as a result, the impacted polling places will remain open later than the usual closing time of 7 p.m. ET, extending their hours by about 30 minutes.
Commitment to Election Security
The FBI reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining election integrity, stating, “Election integrity is among the FBI’s highest priorities.”
They pledged to collaborate closely with state and local law enforcement to address any threats to the electoral process and ensure the safety of communities as Americans exercise their right to vote.
As the day progresses, officials remain vigilant, ready to address any further developments.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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