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Concerns of Bomb Threats During U.S. Elections Linked to Russian Email Addresses
Reports of bomb threats disrupting polling locations across the United States have been traced back to numerous Russian email accounts, according to the FBI’s statement released on Tuesday afternoon.
In the statement, the FBI acknowledged the bomb threats affecting several states, emphasizing that many of these threats seem to originate from Russian domains. However, they clarified that no credible threats had been confirmed so far.
In Georgia, a fake bomb threat targeting a polling site was identified, with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger stating that the threat lacked credibility.
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has not yet detected any organized or persistent influence operations arising from these bomb threats. Nevertheless, senior advisor Cait Conley warned that it would be unwise to rule out potential future attempts, as foreign adversaries are likely to seek opportunities to undermine electoral confidence, a concern that has been expressed for several months.
Recent intelligence assessments indicate that Moscow has been involved in various disinformation initiatives aimed at influencing the election’s outcome, reportedly favoring former President Donald Trump.
Additionally, U.S. intelligence officials noted that the Kremlin has produced misleading video content, including one featuring an individual allegedly from Haiti who claims to have voted illegally multiple times in Georgia’s counties.
In a media briefing, Conley assured that officials are in touch with those affected and are ready to provide necessary support. She added that while disruptions can occur, there are measures in place by election officials to maintain the security and integrity of the electoral process.
As of the afternoon, CISA has observed no significant threats to national election security, with polls largely open across the country. Nonetheless, various technical issues have arisen on Election Day.
In Pennsylvania’s Cambria and Bedford counties, voters experienced software malfunctions with voting machines, prompting a court decision to extend voting hours for those affected.
Similarly, polling locations in Queens, New York, encountered ballot-scanning difficulties. However, the city’s Board of Elections reported that voters were minimally impacted, with options to rescan or place their ballots into backup bins for later counting, as noted in a post on X.
Additional scanning problems have been reported in Virginia, Alabama, Minnesota, and other states. Volunteers at polling sites are actively working to address these issues and ensure that every ballot is cast and accounted for, according to statements from Verified Voting, an organization focused on reducing technological risks in U.S. election management.
In response to accusations regarding involvement in the electoral disruptions, Russian officials denied any interference, labeling the allegations as unfounded. A spokesperson from the Russian embassy in Washington, D.C., expressed that Russia does not interfere in the domestic matters of other nations, including the United States.
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