Polling locations in Georgia experienced a brief evacuation due to hoax bomb threats on 5 November 2024, believed to have originated from Russian sources. These non-credible threats surfaced amid a heated election period, causing officials to act swiftly to ensure voter safety.
The Impact of Fake Threats
According to the FBI, multiple bomb threats were reported across three battleground states, including Georgia, Michigan, and Wisconsin. In Georgia, two polling sites in Fulton County were evacuated for about thirty minutes before reopening. The county is now seeking a court order to extend voting hours, pushing beyond the usual 7 p.m. deadline.
Official Reactions
Georgia’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, attributed the disturbances to Russian interference, stating, “They’re up to mischief, it seems…if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining a smooth electoral process.
- Over two dozen fake bomb threats were received in Georgia alone.
- Threats were also directed at significant polling locations in Michigan and Wisconsin.
- U.S. intelligence officials previously warned about fake videos aimed at discrediting the electoral process, further tying back to Russian actors.
Continued Concerns
The phony bomb threats are just one aspect of ongoing concerns regarding election integrity. Officials have noted that similar threats in the past have been linked to attempts at undermining U.S. democracy.
With such a competitive political landscape, every incident is taken seriously, especially as Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump vie for the White House amid tight polling results.