ALBAWABA - A Pennsylvania court extended voting hours in Cambria County owing to technological concerns, while non-credible bomb threats momentarily shuttered polling stations in Georgia. Georgian authorities have recognized the bomb threats as Russian, raising U.S. election security fears.
The Pennsylvania court's injunction followed a Cambria County electronic voting system software glitch that prohibited voters from scanning their ballots. Election authorities requested an extension until 10 p.m. ET after the problem appeared early Tuesday. After 8 p.m., votes will be considered provisional, according the court.
Cambria County authorities said “all votes will be counted,” urging citizens to vote at their polls. The disturbance reduced morning turnout in the county, 70 miles east of Pittsburgh. CNN said that voter Dave Luciew returned later after seeing an empty voting booth and being told machines were down. He stated, “It will make me feel more assured of my vote being properly counted.”
Two Georgia voting stations were briefly shuttered due to bomb threats from Russian sources, according to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Fulton County police said that “non-credible” threats momentarily halted voting in Union City, a predominately Black suburb outside Atlanta.
“We’ve heard some threats that were of Russian origin,” Raffensperger told reporters, adding that the state investigated immediately out of prudence. Georgia stays watchful for public safety and electoral integrity, he said. The FBI was aware of multiple Georgia bomb threats but found no credible evidence of imminent risk. “Election integrity and protecting our community is our highest priority,” the FBI said, cooperating with state and local police.
Secretary Raffensperger suspected foreign players of sowing electoral unrest. He continued, “They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election.” “Anything that gets us fighting—they can count that as a victory.”
Security worries remain high as authorities countrywide watch for threats and meddling on Election Day to ensure a fair and safe voting environment.
