On Election Day, a fabricated bomb threat disrupted operations at several polling locations in Chester County, Pennsylvania, before being declared unfounded. Officials confirmed that the Chester County Government Services Center in West Chester was evacuated following a threatening email. The center, housing Chester County Voter Services, was searched by K-9 units with no evidence of a bomb found, prompting officials to clear and reopen the building.
As a result of the threat, voters from affected precincts were redirected to cast their ballots provisionally at alternate locations. According to FOX29, the redirected voters hailed from Precincts 280 and 286, with alternative provisions made at Precinct 275 at the West Chester 7th Day Adventist Church and Precinct 285 at Glen Acres Elementary School, where voting hours were extended until 10 p.m.
Further inquiry into the origins of the bomb threats indicated connections to Russia, based on the email domains and IP addresses involved. Chester County District Attorney Chris de Barrena-Sarobe, in a statement obtained by NBC Philadelphia, remarked on the overseas origin of the incidents and noted their consistency with a coordinated attempt to destabilize the electoral process in swing states.
In Philadelphia, similar threats were addressed by police between 6:43 p.m. and 6:55 p.m., impacting multiple locations, all of which were deemed safe following thorough searches. "Phony bomb threats. No bombs. No one hurt. No boom. None of that happened," District Attorney Larry Krasner told NBC Philadelphia. The investigation into these threats, which officials assure had no effect on the integrity of the election results, is ongoing as local and federal agencies work in conjunction.
Despite the earlier disruptions, Chester County officials maintained that election reporting was unaffected. All polling place results arriving at the Government Services Center from Judges of Elections proceeded as planned, and the processing of mail-in ballots occurred independently at a different location. This information was corroborated both by 6abc and the District Attorney's Office, stressing the fact that election integrity remained intact. Any individuals with information regarding the threats are encouraged to contact Philadelphia police or submit an anonymous tip.