Georgia Secretary of State Links Bomb Threats at Atlanta-Area Polling Sites to Russia

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reported Tuesday that bomb threats originating from Russia temporarily disrupted voting at two polling places in Union City. These non-credible threats caused brief closures at the Etris Community Center and Gullatt Elementary, both located in a predominantly Black community just outside Atlanta.

While emphasizing the importance of public safety, Raffensperger told reporters that officials took swift action to investigate the threats. “We’ve heard some threats that were of Russian origin,” he explained. “We don’t believe they’re credible, but we’re always responsible when we hear things like that.” He went on to add, “Russia seems to be causing mischief, aiming to disrupt our smooth, fair, and accurate elections. Their goal is often to get us to turn against each other, and they see that as a win.”

Though the threats proved unfounded, they led to approximately one-hour delays as authorities evacuated the polling sites to assess the situation. Union City officials are now working to extend voting hours to make up for the lost time, according to Nadine Williams, Fulton County’s director of registration and elections.

The FBI released a statement underscoring its commitment to maintaining election security and community safety. “Election integrity and community protection are top priorities,” the FBI’s statement read. “We are collaborating with state and local law enforcement to ensure Americans’ right to vote remains secure.” The agency confirmed it was aware of the threats but did not specifically address the Russian connection.