FBI and Postal Inspection Service investigate suspicious letters sent to election offices weeks before midterms

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious mailings sent to election offices, some of which contained a powdery white substance, weeks before the midterm elections.

Letters were sent to election offices in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma, and authorities say some mailings were intercepted before reaching their intended recipients. Election Day is November 3, less than three weeks away.

Louisiana office evacuated after staff member opens letter

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office received a letter that was opened on Tuesday, prompting an evacuation; the office has since reopened. Law enforcement found no evidence of harmful substances in the Louisiana letter. The employee who opened it was not injured but was taken to the emergency room as a precaution.

The Oklahoma State Election Board said its office received a letter containing a white powder. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was the intended recipient of a letter containing white powder that was intercepted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service before it arrived. Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut was sent a letter containing a suspicious substance that was intercepted before reaching his office.

Senate Sergeant at Arms warns staff that more letters may arrive

The Senate Sergeant at Arms sent a communication to congressional staff warning that law enforcement is working to intercept additional letters but some may reach their destinations. The note said suspicious letters should be treated as potentially hazardous, and staff should not handle them and should leave the area. Warning signs include discoloration, powder emanating from the envelope, and postmarks that do not match the return address. An image in the SAA communication showed a return address labeled “DSA” with a New York City address.

Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said the organization stopped delivery of at least one mailing. “Some of the letters have contained an unknown substance, and we’re working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident,” Donahue said. The FBI said it is working with partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. The U.S. Capitol Police and the SAA did not return requests for comment.

Incidents echo 2024 mailings to election offices

The investigation echoes similar incidents in 2024 involving suspicious mailings to state election offices. Ahead of the 2024 election, vote officials in 17 states received suspicious packages, according to BBC News, while NPR reports that more than 15 state election offices received suspicious mailings. A year before the 2024 election, suspicious envelopes, some laced with fentanyl, were sent to election offices in at least five states.

The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a statement saying those who administer elections should never fear for their safety.