Federal authorities investigate suspicious mail sent to election offices

Federal authorities are investigating letters with “suspicious substances” that have been mailed to congressional and election offices nationwide. Authorities are urging recipients to treat the letters as “potentially hazardous.”

The investigation involves the FBI, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the U.S. Capitol Police. The inquiry was first disclosed in a message from the Senate Sergeant at Arms obtained by The Associated Press. The notice, sent to Senate offices, stated that law enforcement officials were working to intercept any additional letters, but noted that “it is possible that some letters may reach their destinations.”

Evacuations and Interceptions

Mailed packages containing a powdery substance led to the evacuation this week of election offices in at least two states, Louisiana and Oklahoma. The Ohio secretary of state said the Postal Service intercepted a package containing a white powder intended for its office. The Ohio secretary of state noted that similar mailings had been sent to election officials in multiple states.

An FBI statement said the bureau and the Postal Inspection Service were "investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices.”

"Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident," the statement read. "We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters."

Deputy Postal Inspector Brendan Donahue told reporters Thursday that “any threat or attack on election officials is unacceptable” and that “we are also working with our partners on identifying the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”

Congressional Response

In Congress, the situation appeared isolated to the Senate, but the House was monitoring, according to a person familiar with the matter who was not authorized to discuss the investigation publicly.

The mailings come just three weeks before Election Day. The incidents are reminiscent of a similar threat in 2023, when several election offices received envelopes containing the powerful opioid fentanyl. In some cases during that 2023 incident, the mailings disrupted work around local elections, and some offices stocked up on the overdose reversal medication naloxone.

Official Statements

The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement condemning what they said were threats against election staff.

“Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties,” they said in their statement.

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Sources

• globalnews.ca: Authorities investigate letters with ‘suspicious substances’ sent to congressional, election offices - National | Globalnews.ca
• abcnews.com: Authorities investigate letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to congressional, election offices - ABC News
• gulfcoastnewsnow.com: ‘Suspicious substances’ sent to congressional, election offices - WBBH
• wral.com: Authorities investigate letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to congressional, election offices :: WRAL.com
• union-bulletin.com: Authorities investigate letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to congressional, election offices | National | union-bulletin.com
• winchesterstar.com: Authorities investigate letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to congressional, election offices | Washington | winchesterstar.com

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.