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Dozens of hoax bomb threats targeted polling locations across several U.S. states on Election Day, leading to temporary evacuations and disruptions in a coordinated attempt to sow chaos. Federal and local officials responded quickly to the incidents, which were largely deemed not credible, ensuring that voting could continue.
The threats, primarily sent via email, affected multiple swing states, including Pennsylvania and Arizona. In response, some polling stations were temporarily closed while law enforcement conducted security sweeps. Though voting was paused in these locations, officials worked to mitigate the impact. In Pennsylvania's Chester County, for instance, a judge approved a petition to extend voting hours at two affected sites to ensure all registered voters could cast their ballots. Despite the interruptions, authorities reported that the disturbances were isolated and did not halt voting operations system-wide.
According to some U.S. officials, at least a portion of the emailed threats were traced back to Russian email domains. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a statement confirming it was aware of the hoax bomb threats made to dozens of polling places and was actively investigating the matter alongside state and local partners. The agency stressed that there were "no known specific or credible threats" associated with the hoaxes, which it characterized as attempts to cause disruption.
While the threats caused localized anxiety and logistical challenges, they ultimately failed to significantly impede the electoral process. The incidents underscored ongoing concerns about election security and attempts to undermine voter confidence, but also highlighted the preparedness of authorities in managing such disruptions. Ultimately, the events did not prevent a generally smooth voting experience across America for the majority of citizens.
