Three polling sites in Manhattan receive Election Day terror threats, likely part of a swatting hoax, according to police reports.
On Tuesday morning, polling site workers at three locations in Manhattan received emails that contained threats of a potential terror attack. A source within the New York Police Department (NYPD) indicated that investigations currently suggest these emails are likely part of a hoax intended to instill fear on what is a significant day for democracy: Election Day.
Despite the alarming nature of these messages, no polling sites in New York City were closed as a precautionary measure. Voting proceeded uninterrupted, while law enforcement agencies at both the local and federal levels worked diligently to trace the source of the communications.
The emails were reported to have been sent between the hours of 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. They were opened by polling workers operating in various neighborhoods, including Harlem, Greenwich Village, and Midtown East. Interestingly, the messages did not mention any of the three leading candidates competing in the city’s mayoral race this year.
The NYPD source described the situation as potentially involving an elaborate swatting attempt, a practice that employs false emergencies to provoke significant law enforcement responses. It was noted that the emails contained threats deemed as terroristic in nature.
Vincent Ignizio, the Deputy Executive Director of the Board of Elections, acknowledged the receipt of at least one such email. He clarified that it was initially forwarded to them for informational purposes rather than as an explicit threat. According to Ignizio, the NYPD assessed the threat as “not credible,” suggesting that it posed no immediate danger to voters or polling operations.
Swatting is a troubling trend within the realm of cyber harassment, aimed at inciting chaos and often leading to a severe and disproportionate response from law enforcement. This incident aligns with similar threats reported earlier in the day across the Hudson River in New Jersey, where a gubernatorial election was also underway.
In a related response, Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani expressed concern over the New Jersey incidents, categorizing them as symptomatic of broader attacks on the democratic process. The events serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities elections face, highlighting the imperative for vigilance on such a pivotal day in the voting calendar.
As authorities continue to investigate the origins of these threatening communications, the overarching sentiment remains one of resilience and determination to uphold the democratic process in New York City and beyond.
