Cedar Rapids polling place evacuated after ‘loud sound, smoke’

CEDAR RAPIDS - Election officials called the Cedar Rapids Fire Department Tuesday after hearing a loud sound and then smelling smoke at a Cedar Rapids precinct.

Officials at the Precinct 14 polling place at Buffalo United Methodist Church, 1000 13th St. NE, then temporarily moved the voting equipment outside the building.

Upon arrival, firefighters did not locate any smoke and could not determine the cause of the sound, election officials said. The voting stations were then moved back inside after about an hour.

In a tweet, Linn County Auditor Joel Miller said no voters were deterred from voting due to the incident.

The primary election polls close at 9 p.m. To find out your polling place visit the Iowa Secretary of State's Office website.

l Comments: (319) 398-8312; alex.boisjolie@thegazette.com