San Diego County Registrar of Voters office reopened after suspicious package prompted evacuation

A suspicious briefcase was found at the San Diego County Registrar of Voters office on Monday afternoon, prompting an evacuation that lasted a few hours as voters headed to the polls just one day before Election Day.

San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies found the suspicious suitcase in the lobby of the Kearny Mesa building at around 1:45 p.m., according to the San Diego Police Department.

At about 3:10 p.m., San Diego police officers evacuated the building.

By about 4:45 p.m., the Registrar was reopened, operations resumed and voters were allowed to enter the building again.

A County spokesperson later added that the facility had been evacuated out of “an abundance of caution after an item left onsite required further evaluation.”

“We are working closely with public safety agencies and following established protocols to protect the integrity of election operations. Voters should know that voting and ballot processing remain secure, and election services continue to be available throughout the county,” spokesperson Aiyana Moya added.

“Voters may cast a ballot at one of 221 vote centers or return a completed mail ballot at an official ballot drop box. Tomorrow is the last day to vote, with all vote centers and official ballot drop boxes open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” she said.

This is a developing story and details may change as new information arrives.

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