Pa. county election office evacuated following bomb threat
An elections office in Centre County, Pennsylvania was evacuated Tuesday night following a bomb threat, local officials told The National News Desk.
The threat came via email and targeted the Willowbank Building in Bellefonte. Centre County includes State College, the home of the Pennsylvania State University campus.
It is one of roughly a dozen Pennsylvania counties to receive such threats on election night, the spokesperson said.
"Out of an abundance of caution, the Willowbank Building was cleared for about an hour while state and local police investigated the threat and swept the building," the statement reads. "After completing the sweep, state and local police deemed the threat to be non-credible and allowed employees to return to the building."
Employees returned to the building around 8:20 p.m. County Administrator John Franek, Jr. noted "the Elections Office and ballots were under constant supervision while the building was swept."
The threats come as all eyes are turned toward the Keystone State, which could play a major role in deciding the election. Both Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump focused significant attention on the swing state throughout their campaigns.
Pennsylvania was notably the site of the first assassination attempt aimed at Trump. His July rally in Butler, Pa. was cut short after a gunman opened fire, shooting Trump in the ear and causing him to bleed.
Harris made four stops throughout Pennsylvania on Monday to add the finishing touches on her bid for the state's support. Her message to supporters surrounded themes of unity.
"As we are getting out the vote, as we are canvassing, let's be intentional about building community, about building community, about building coalitions, about reminding people we all have so much more in common than what separates us," the vice president said. "There is power in that."
Georgia, another critical swing state, was also targeted with bomb threats throughout the day on Tuesday. Polling centers in and Counties reported receiving such threats, forcing evacuations and prompting the need for extended voting hours.
