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Photo from Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes General Election Updates press conference livestream.
Photo from Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes General Election Updates press conference livestream.

FONTES: ‘ELECTION DAY IS GOING WELL’; ADDRESSES ISSUES AT POLLS

PHOENIX - Secretary of State Adrian Fontes confirms bomb threats were called on four polling places in the Navajo nation; however, he said that election day is going well.

Arizona’s top election official said there is no ongoing threat to any polling places, but the FBI suspects bomb threats are coming from Russia.

“We have reason to believe this is from a foreign adversary, namely Russia,” Fontes said. “Russia wants to sew mistrust and distrust in our system… Vladimir Putin wants us to hate each other.”

Fontes said he believes none of those four polling places were closed at any time, but is unable to confirm. 

This is part of a larger campaign of bomb threats at polling places across battle ground states nationwide. Five polling places closed near Atlanta this morning due to the threats. They will stay open later this evening to ensure voters have equal time to vote statewide. 

Republican Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Russia was behind the Election Day bomb threats.

"They're up to mischief, it seems,” Raffensperger said. “They don't want us to have a smooth, fair and accurate election, and if they can get us to fight among ourselves, they can count that as a victory."

Fontes said he is unable to provide more details at this time. 

Polling places are preparing for rush hour at the polls as the work day comes to a close. 

“People are working hard across the state to make sure we get everybody through,” Fontes said.  

The secretary also received reports of misinformation that had been given to students in Flagstaff. 

An “unidentified group” told some students they can vote for president or get a federal-only ballot if they are unregistered. 

Voters must be registered 29 days before the election to vote in Arizona. Arizona does not have any same-day voting. 

The final issue Fontes addressed involved people allowed to be in the polling place.

Some groups have attempted to enter polling places despite not being allowed. 

Only poll workers, voters, federal justice department officials and official observers sent by political parties. The secretary of state's office has not cleared any other groups to be in polling places. 

“The issues were very easily resolved by polling place officials on the ground,” Fontes said. “It didn’t arise to any sort of alerts but we will see how that little piece develops.” 

Election safety is at the top of mind for election workers. In 2020, unofficial observers stayed outside the Maricopa County tabulation center as votes were counted. The group has been called a militia and was documented to be carrying assault rifles. 

In response, officials have bumped up security at polling places and tabulation centers statewide. 

Arizona voter Emily Stalzer cast her ballot on election day and could tell there was increased security near the polling place. 

“I kept my headphones on and head down to deter people from talking to me,” Stalzer said. “Thankfully, no one tried to talk to me.”


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