On Election Day in Georgia, voters faced unexpected challenges as bomb threats disrupted voting at polling sites in Fulton County. Michael Osborne arrived at his polling site in Union City to find a heavy presence of EMS and police vehicles, signaling trouble. The Etris Community Center, a polling location near Atlanta's airport, was temporarily closed due to a bomb threat, causing a nearly hour-long delay for voters.
According to poll watcher Evette Reyes, three voters were in the middle of casting their votes when the evacuation took place, with around 25 people waiting in line outside. Fulton County experienced a total of five non-credible bomb threats, leading to evacuations at two locations. Nadine Williams, the county's registration and elections director, confirmed the incidents.
Georgia's Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger revealed that the threats originated from Russia, adding a layer of concern to the situation. Despite the disruptions, most voters remained committed to casting their ballots, although some chose to leave. Osborne expressed disappointment at the incident, believing it was an attempt to discourage voters, particularly those in the predominantly Black community where the polling site was located.
Union City, with a population that is nearly 90% Black according to the US Census Bureau, found itself at the center of this unsettling event. The incident raised questions about voter suppression tactics and the need for heightened security measures to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
