PHOENIX — The Maricopa County Tabulation and Election Center was locked down for about half an hour Wednesday after an election worker noticed suspicious activity in a nearby building, the Arizona Mirror reported.
The lockdown began around 12:30 p.m. “Law enforcement determined there was no threat and MCTEC resumed regular operations at 1 pm,” county elections spokeswoman Jennifer Liewer said.
The scare comes as election officials across the country, including in Arizona, have received envelopes containing white powder. Last week, the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office received such a letter; officials later said the substance was not toxic.
Early ballot tabulation for the Nov. 3 election is underway at the downtown Phoenix facility, which can be watched on the county’s public livestream.
Sources: Arizona Mirror. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
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