The San Diego County Registrar of Voters building was evacuated Monday, Nov. 2, after a suspicious suitcase was found in the lobby. The closure shut down in-person voting in Kearny Mesa for about 90 minutes on the eve of Election Day.
Sheriff's deputies found the suitcase in the building's lobby at about 1:45 p.m., according to the San Diego Police Department, as reported by NBC 7 San Diego. The item had been discovered in the voting area of the lobby, according to ABC 10News. Police evacuated the building and closed surrounding streets by about 3 p.m.
The disruption came one day before Carlsbad voters and residents across San Diego County head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 3.
San Diego County Registrar of Voters Shawn Brom told 10News the office contacted authorities as a precaution. "The unattended item was in our lobby right in the voting area in a public place, but it was left unattended for too long," Brom said.
Brom said everything was put away following protocols before the evacuation.
Ballot drop boxes outside the facility stayed open throughout the evacuation, according to 10News. Police and sheriff's deputies investigated the suitcase and determined it was not a threat. The building reopened by about 4:30 p.m., according to 10News. NBC 7 reported operations resumed by about 4:45 p.m.
Voters who arrived during the closure were caught off guard. Robin Scott told 10News, "I saw the tape, police everywhere. I'm like, what does this mean?"
Michael Levine, who showed up around 4 p.m., told 10News he found police cars everywhere and bomb-sniffing dogs on the premises.
County spokesperson Aiyana Moya said in a statement, according to NBC 7, that the county was working with public safety agencies and following established protocols. She said voting and ballot processing remained secure.
No arrests have been announced. Authorities have not disclosed what was inside the suitcase or who left it, according to the New York Post.
Carlsbad voters can cast ballots at any of the county's 221 vote centers or return completed mail ballots at official drop boxes. All locations are open Tuesday, Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
