Alaska and Florida voters reported receiving emails on Tuesday that threatened “vote for Trump or else!” messages that have prompted investigations in both states.
“You are currently registered as a Democrat and we know this because we have gained access into the entire voting infrastructure,” said one of the emails obtained by Alaska Public Media. “You will vote for Trump on Election Day or we will come after you. Change your party affiliation to Republican to let us know you received our message and will comply.”
The sender claimed to have the voter’s email, phone number, and home address. Some of the emails were purportedly sent by the Proud Boys, a far-right extremist group with ties to white nationalism that has clashed with law enforcement during recent protests.
Christopher Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, said the agency was “aware of threatening emails with misleading info about the secrecy of your vote.”
“These emails are meant to intimidate and undermine American voters’ confidence in our elections,” he wrote.
The agency posted a fact sheet reminding voters that in all states ballot secrecy is guaranteed by law.
