On Election Day 2024, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that bomb threats from Russian email domains have disrupted election security in multiple states. Although the specific affected states have not yet been fully disclosed, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger confirmed that multiple polling stations in the state received bomb threats, forcing the election process to be temporarily interrupted.

Georgia Affected: Polling Stations Briefly Closed

Fulton County, Georgia officials reported receiving multiple bomb threat calls on Election Day, which forced two polling stations to temporarily stop voting activities. Secretary of State Raffensperger said the threat information originated from Russia and was intended to interfere with the voting process of voters in the state and the normal conduct of the election. These bomb threats and closures have raised strong concerns about foreign interference.

Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency: No widespread threats yet

Despite the disruption caused by these bomb threats to the election, Kate Conley, senior adviser to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, said in a press release that no large-scale national security incidents have been found to threaten the overall security of the election. CISA is working closely with the FBI and other security agencies to ensure election security and prevent potential further interference.

Foreign interference and disinformation: a continuing security challenge

U.S. officials said that foreign interference and disinformation activities reached an unprecedented scale during the election, intending to affect voter confidence and the election process by spreading false information and creating panic. Although the current threat activities have not yet formed a national security crisis, relevant departments expect that such interference will continue after Election Day and may further intensify.

FBI and CISA work together to ensure election security

The FBI and CISA have increased monitoring and response efforts during the election and called on election officials everywhere to be highly vigilant about potential threats. While responding to and tracking bomb threats, these agencies are working to ensure that voter safety and confidence are not disturbed.

This bomb threat reveals new challenges facing election security in the digital and global era. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have made it clear that they will continue to investigate these threats and strengthen cybersecurity measures to resist foreign interference and build a stronger security line for future elections.