Robocalls that warn of an elevated risk of contracting the coronavirus and reporting very long lines at polling places have gone out to millions of voters apparently in an effort to suppress voter turnout.
The FBI has opened an investigation into the source of these robocalls. Interfering with a citizen’s right to vote is illegal under federal election law.
JUST IN: @FBI is now investigating the #robocalls that have gone to multiple states, telling voters to "stay home & stay safe" per a senior @CISAgov official https://t.co/wkd7KbrjuJ
— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) November 3, 2020
On Tuesday, Election Day, the Bureau said unidentified callers using the robocalling apparatus contacted millions of Americans with the message to “stay at home.” The message amplified fears of the possibility of contracting the coronavirus.
Other robocalls, also to millions of potential voters, advanced false and unfounded information about excruciatingly long lines at polling stations.
Investigators and investigating experts said the calls were most likely targeting Republican, conservative, and other voters who were supporting President Trump’s re-election and who intended to vote in person on Election Day
Democrats and Progressives, in association with the Biden campaign, have urged supporters to vote by mail and to vote early.
Jeff Seldin, a national security correspondent for the Voice of America tweeted that officials from the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency say these types of calls specifically target senior citizens and are common in tight election cycles.
"#Robocalls of this nature happen every election" per the senior @CISAgov official on a media call, saying they are "voter intimidation, voter suppression" tactics
CISA official urges voters to go to only trusted sources and votehttps://t.co/wy4DHGagUu
— Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) November 3, 2020
Initial reports of these robocalls came out of the battle ground state of Michigan. RealClearPolitics running average of polling shows Biden leading in Michigan 50 percent to 45 percent.
