FAIRMONT– More than half of the county election offices in Minnesota have received bomb threats since Nov. 8. This includes Martin County and neighboring Watonwan County.

According to a press release sent out on Nov. 12 from the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, the threats have come via email and have been reported to the office by county, state and federal partners.

Martin County’s Auditor/Treasurer, Michael Forstner, confirmed that the county received a threat over email during that time frame and sent it into the Secretary of State’s Office.

“They were deemed not credible but we were advised to inform the Sheriff, which we did in following protocol,” Forstner said.

Watonwan County’s Auditor, Kelly Pauling, said that they, too, received a threat via email.

“We received the same one that other counties received,” Pauling said. “We did the recommended protocol on it.”

Faribault County’s Auditor, Kari Jacobson, said her office did not receive one of the emails.

In the release, Simon said, “Threats of violence against election workers, aimed at disrupting our democracy, are absolutely unacceptable. Although Election Day is over, election officials across the state are continuing their work to verify that the election was free, fair, accurate and secure. Over the next few weeks, counties will be canvassing the election, certifying results and conducting post-election reviews.

Our office is coordinating with local, state and federal partners to respond and ensure that our election officials can complete this important work and that those responsible for the threats are held accountable.”