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False threats to Russia about a bomb explosion in GeorgiaSoftware glitches in Pennsylvania’s voting machines and sporadic violence were just some of the incidents Tuesday, a day when tens of millions of Americans turn out to elect their next president.

In Georgia, one of the key states in the vote, the day began with several bomb threats in at least two polling places.

But hours later, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said the threats were false and the work of a “foreign state actor,” specifically Russia.

Raffensperger added at the news conference that the purpose of the threats was to “destabilize” the United States.

The FBI said in a statement that it had received information about the bomb threats and that its priority was to ensure “election integrity” as well as voter protection.

“The FBI is working closely with state and local law enforcement to respond to election threats and protect our communities as Americans exercise their right to vote,” the FBI explained.

Despite the threats, more than half a million people had voted in person in Georgia by midday.

In another key state, Pennsylvania, software problems with ballot-reading machines forced a judge to extend voting by two hours in Cambria County until 10 p.m. local time (1 a.m. GMT Wednesday).

The Pennsylvania Department of State acknowledged the problems in Cambria County in a statement and added that “all completed ballots will be accepted, placed in a secure location and counted by the Board of Elections.”

Also in Pennsylvania, officials said they were investigating hundreds of cases of suspected voter registration fraud in six counties.

Pennsylvania, which sends 19 Electoral College delegates, is considered a key state in this election that will determine which of Kalama Harris and Donald Trump wins the presidency of the United States.

While in New York State, a man was arrested in Fowler when he threatened poll workers to burn down a building after he was informed that he could not vote because he was not registered.

The FBI also warned Tuesday that at least two videos featuring his name and the organization’s insignia were circulating on social media in an attempt to spread false information about the presidential election.

Independent investigators said the videos were likely created by a Russian group.

EFE