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Hoax bomb threats prompt extended hours at some Pennsylvania polling places

By Ashley Adams

November 5, 2024

Bomb threats were called in to multiple locations in Pennsylvania during the final hour of voting Tuesday. Gov. Josh Shapiro said there is no credible threat to the public.

In the final hour of voting, multiple bomb threats were called in at various polling locations throughout Pennsylvania.

During an election update livestream, Gov. Josh Shapiro said threats were called in to polling locations and county municipal offices. Pennsylvania state police are coordinating with local and federal law enforcement to investigate each threat. At this time, Shapiro said, there is no credible threat to the public.

Pennsylvania Secretary of State Al Schmidt said the threats were sent by email to multiple counties. So far, officials and law enforcement don’t know who is behind the threats.

“These incidents are intended to threaten and coerce,” Schmidt said. “Our election officials will not be intimidated.”

In a post on X, the Chester County government said emergency officials were investigating a bomb threat sent to the Chester County Government Services Center, where two polling places are located. Election officials were redirecting voters to neighboring locations to cast provisional ballots. Voting hours for the two neighboring places were extended to 10 p.m.

In Clearfield County, polls remained open until 9 p.m. because of a bomb threat at the County Administrative Building where votes were being counted.

In Centre County, the Willowbank Building, home to county election offices, was evacuated due to a bomb threat. A team remained on site to collect mail ballots until 8 p.m.

There was also a bomb threat to the Government Services Center in West Chester, prompting an evacuation. Voter Services is located in the building where in-person ballots are delivered after polls close.

According to NBC news, the FBI attributed bomb threats called into other states on Election Day to Russia. 

Author

  • Ashley Adams

    In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

CATEGORIES: Election 2024

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