WASHINGTON – Maryland was among multiple states targeted with bomb threats during the 2024 election cycle, as officials reported a concerning pattern of hoaxes aimed at disrupting the voting process. At least 15 Maryland election offices received email threats last week, joining polling sites in states such as Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, and Pennsylvania that faced similar threats. The incidents have raised alarm about the lengths to which unknown actors went to instill fear and delay voting.
Jared DeMarinis, Maryland’s state elections administrator, confirmed that the bomb threats were directed at boards of elections in Maryland counties including Montgomery, Frederick, Charles, and Anne Arundel. “It appears they originated overseas,” DeMarinis said, underscoring that while no bombs were found, the threats are being treated seriously. The FBI has since launched an investigation, and DeMarinis expressed gratitude for local law enforcement, including specialized canine units from Anne Arundel County, which ensured the safety of election workers and swiftly cleared the sites.
In Georgia, two polling locations were briefly evacuated due to similar threats, with Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger suspecting Russian interference. “They’re up to mischief, it seems. They don’t want us to have a smooth, fair, and accurate election,” Raffensperger told Reuters. Across the U.S., federal agencies have been tracking increased Russian influence, including misinformation campaigns and fabricated videos intended to sway public opinion and diminish confidence in the electoral process.
The flood of threats comes amid broader concerns about misinformation and foreign interference. An election that otherwise saw largely trouble-free voting was marred by targeted disinformation campaigns from foreign actors such as Russia, Iran, and China, according to U.S. intelligence officials. Russia, in particular, ramped up its influence efforts by creating fake videos alleging voter fraud and other manipulative narratives targeting candidates.
Maryland officials were not deterred, pushing forward with canvassing despite the hoaxes. “We took the safety of our election workers very seriously,” DeMarinis emphasized, adding that Maryland election teams were trained and prepared for this exact type of emergency. According to DeMarinis, their efforts played a crucial role in upholding Maryland’s election integrity, allowing them to continue ballot counting without significant delays.
The bomb threats may not have halted voting, but experts like David Becker from the Center for Election Innovation and Research worry they reflect a “long game” by America’s adversaries to erode confidence in U.S. democracy. “These kinds of tactics are aimed at more than just election disruption; they’re intended to sow long-term distrust,” Becker said.
In Maryland, turnout remains robust despite the disruptions, with provisional ballots expected to continue adding to the state’s vote tally until the canvassing deadline on November 15. Maryland’s state board of canvassers will meet on December 5 to certify the final results, a testament to the dedication of election workers who, as DeMarinis described, are “the backbone of this entire operation.”
As Maryland continues counting votes in a tense election year marked by global disinformation and threatening tactics, election officials maintain that they are more prepared than ever. “We’re seeing efforts to derail our democratic process, but our resolve is strong,” DeMarinis asserted, highlighting that the integrity of Maryland’s elections, though tested, has held firm.
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It’s alarming to see how far some will go to disrupt the electoral process. The resilience shown by Maryland’s election officials in the face of such threats is commendable. It underscores the importance of upholding election integrity, especially with ongoing concerns about foreign interference. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for everyone to remain vigilant and engaged!