Election Day bomb threats disrupt Fulton County polling locations

Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger says the threats were Russian in origin.

ATLANTA, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — According to NBC News, two polling locations were evacuated on Election Day after receiving “non-credible” bomb threats.

In a press conference, Fulton County Election Director Nadine Williams told reporters that a total of five locations received threats, but only two were evacuated.

After a security sweep, operations resumed with what Williams called “an active security presence”. She says the disruptions lasted less than an hour.

“As of 9:40am over 29,500 ballots were already cast, and earlier today, unfortunately, we did have five non credible bomb threats that were reported leading to a temporary evacuation of two locations for approximately 30 minutes each. Thankfully, these locations are now operational again and all polling sites are secure with active security presence.”

According to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensberger, those threats were part of Russia’s efforts to interfere in U.S. elections.

“They’re up to mischief, it seems. And they don’t want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election and they think they can get us to fight among ourselves. They can count that as a victory. So that tells you, tells you a little bit about the Russians. They’re not our friends. Anyone that thinks they are hasn’t been reading the newspapers.”

To make up for that lost time, Williams says officials are working to obtain a court order that would keep impacted locations in Fulton County open later. She expects those polling locations to close around 7:30 p.m.

As of 9:40 a.m. on Election Day, over 29,500 ballots were cast in Fulton County.