The Alpine County Government Center is located in the historic courthouse in Markleeville.
A bomb threat prompted the evacuation of the Alpine County Administrative Building in Markleeville Tuesday morning.
The building was evacuated immediately upon receiving the threat, and a coordinated response ensued to investigate the credibility of the threat, according to county spokesman J.T. Chevallier. After an extensive sweep of the facility, the Sheriff's Office and Eastern Alpine Fire Department confirmed the building was safe for repopulation, and staff and visitors were permitted to return at approximately 11 a.m.
"We take threats of this nature very seriously in Alpine County," said Alpine County Chief Administrative Officer Nichole Williamson. "We would like to thank the Alpine County Sheriff's Office and Eastern Alpine Fire Department for their quick response. We will not let these threats deter our resolve and commitment to serving our community."
The investigation into the source of the threat remains ongoing. Alpine County encourages anyone with information related to this incident to contact the Sheriff's Office.
California has seen at least a few bomb threats aimed at election offices recently.
"We are aware of the reports and being kept up to date by our local, state, and federal partners," the California Secretary of State's Office said in a statement to The Record-Courier. "This is an active investigation and, therefore, are not providing specific details at this time."
The agency said it prepares for efforts to interfere with elections.
"California works year-round with local, state, and federal partners to ensure safe, secure, fair elections," according to the statement. "This planning includes contingency plans should there be attempts to interfere with our elections, including vote counting. The process of counting ballots continues and will continue until every vote is counted. We will not be deterred from our duty to democracy."
