Developing Violence and threats Updated
Threats of violence against polling places
Bomb threats, hoax threats, and violence aimed at polling places and election offices, which can close sites, extend hours, and frighten voters. Most past threats have been judged not credible, but each one forces a response.
What has happened
- A woman with a megaphone confronted voters at a Las Vegas early voting site and got into an altercation with a voter. Las Vegas police issued a warning; no charges reported. Nevada brings the states on the map to 3.
- A former Surry County commission candidate was charged after allegedly blocking a voter at the Dobson early voting site on Oct. 15 and making a throat-slash gesture. North Carolina brings the states on the map to 2.
- Election officials found fire-damaged mail ballots in a downtown Los Angeles drop box two days before the June 2 primary, and a Long Beach vote center was vandalized. Both went to LAPD; no arrest announced. Added Oct. 22, California brings the states on the map to 4.
- An explosive device went off near a polling place in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, during the primary. No one was hurt and voting was not interrupted. State police said nothing indicated it was related to the polling place.
Where it has been observed
- California Active since May 31, 2026
- Ballots are found fire-damaged inside a ballot drop box before an election. Drop box near Civic Center, downtown Los Angeles, two days before the June 2 primary. Reported to LAPD; no arrest announced · May 31, 2026
- North Carolina Active since Oct 15, 2026
- A voter is blocked and threatened at an early voting site, and a man is charged. Dobson early voting site, Surry County. A former county commission candidate faces disorderly conduct and election charges · Oct 15, 2026
- Nevada Active since Oct 17, 2026
- A protester confronts voters at an early voting site and gets into a physical altercation, and police respond. Desert Breeze Community Center, Las Vegas, Clark County. Police warned the woman; no charges reported · Oct 17, 2026
- New Jersey Developing
- Bomb threats or hoax threats are called in to polling places in an earlier election. Polling places in seven New Jersey counties in November 2025: Bergen, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Passaic. None were found credible.