Suspicious letters with white powder sent to election offices in multiple states

By Sean Lyngaas, CNN

(CNN) — Election offices in multiple states reported receiving suspicious letters in the mail this week containing a powdery white substance, prompting an investigation from the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service.

Officials in Louisiana and Oklahoma confirmed receipt of such letters on Tuesday and said they evacuated their election offices while law enforcement responded to the incidents.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Wednesday his office was the “intended recipient” of a suspicious letter but that the Postal Service intercepted it. No one was reported harmed in any of the incidents.

In a statement Wednesday night, the FBI said “a series of suspicious mailings” have been 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 FBI said. “We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters.”

The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said they were “deeply concerned” by the incidents.

“As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy,” said a joint statement from the two organizations. “Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties.”

Election officials across the country are no strangers to suspicious or threatening mail. Powder-containing packages were sent to election officials in at least six states just weeks before the 2024 presidential election.

The incidents reported this week show that “in the current threat environment, election and law enforcement officials must be prepared to address a broad range of cyber and physical threats,” John Cohen, a former acting undersecretary for intelligence and analysis at the Department of Homeland Security, told CNN.

“The bad news [is that] the threat is rapidly evolving, dynamic, technologically enabled and dangerous,” Cohen said. “The good news [is that] state and local officials are better prepared than ever to address these threats.”

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