Georgia polling centers evacuated over bomb threats, FBI says threats are of 'Russian origin'

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said bomb threats sent to polling centers on Election Day were of "Russian origin." Several polling stations in the battleground state were evacuated Tuesday morning due to the safety threat. However, the election official told reporters that authorities do not believe the threats were credible.

"We've heard some threats that were of Russian origin," Raffensperger said during a press brief on Tuesday morning. "I don't know how to describe that that's viable, we don't think they are, but in the interest of public safety, you always check that out."

"We'll just continue to be very responsible when we hear about stuff like that," he continued. "We've identified the source and it was from Russia. They're up to mischief it seems. They don't want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election."

Georgia is one of seven swing states that will likely decide the outcome of the 2024 Presidential Election. Five to seven precincts were hit with bomb threats, and two polling centers in Union City and Fulton County had to be evacuated, Raffensperger said.

The FBI issued a statement indicating that three states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Maine, received bomb threats to polling locations on Election Day, which were threats of Russian origin. "The FBI is aware of bomb threats to polling locations in several states, many of which appear to originate from Russian email domains. None of the threats have been determined to be credible thus far," the agency said.

"Election Integrity is among the FBI's highest priorities. We will continue to work closely with our state and local law enforcement partners to respond to any threats to our elections and to protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote," the FBI continued.

Meanwhile, authorities in the Pacific Northwest are still trying to locate a suspect who bombed ballot drop boxes with incendiary devices last week in Vancouver, Washington, and Portland, Oregon. This specific threat remains active, and law enforcement said during an Oct. 30 press conference that investigators on the case believe the suspect could strike again. The incendiary devices used in the attack were emblazoned with the message "Free Gaza," according to law enforcement sources.

The FBI urged the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious behavior to state or local law enforcement agencies. Tips can be submitted to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.