The FBI and Postal Service are investigating suspicious mail containing a white powder substance that was sent to election offices in at least 17 states this week, according to an ABC News canvass of the country.
None of the mail has been deemed hazardous so far – and in one case, the substance was determined to be flour – but the scare prompted evacuations in some locations.
Election offices in New York, Tennessee, Wyoming, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Iowa, Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Indiana, Massachusetts, and Colorado received the suspicious packages. Similar suspicious mail was addressed to offices in additional states – Arizona, Georgia, Connecticut, Maryland and Maine among them – but investigators intercepted them before they reached their destination.
A hazmat crew from the National Guard’s Civilian Support Team investigates after a suspicious package was delivered to election officials at the Missouri Secretary of State’s Jefferson City, Mo. office on Sept. 17, 2024.
Summer Ballentine/AP
The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service said in a statement Tuesday that they were investigating letters containing white powdery substances. A law enforcement source said at this point none of the packages were believed to be hazardous.
“We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters,” the statement read.
At least some of the packages were signed by the “United States Traitor Elimination Army,” according to a copy of a letter sent to members of the Elections Infrastructure Information Sharing and Analysis Center obtained by ABC News.
The Oklahoma State Election Board Office inside the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, was one of at least five states in the U.S. which election officials received suspicious packages on Sept. 16, 2024.
Sean Murphy/AP
Election offices office in Kansas and Wyoming were evacuated on Monday, officials said, and the ventilation system in the Missouri secretary of state’s office in Jefferson City was briefly shut off as a precaution. The North Carolina Board of Elections did not receive any packages with white powder, but an official there told ABC News they are putting in place new safety precautions in light of the incidents in other states.
This latest incident marks the second time in the past year that suspicious mailings containing a white powdery substance were sent to election offices. Last November, similar envelopes were sent to elections offices in five states — four of which tested positive for fentanyl, the FBI said at the time.
In the intervening months, several offices have taken steps to train staff on how to handle poisonous material sent in the mail. In Milwaukee, for example, election workers recently received training on how to administer Narcan.
The National Association of Secretaries of State released a statement urging an end to the “threatening and intimidating actions towards election officials” during recent election cycles.
“This must stop, period,” the statement read. “Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats or intimidation of any kind.”
In recent weeks, election offices in 17 states across the country have been on high alert after receiving suspicious mail containing a mysterious white powder. The powder, which has yet to be identified, has raised concerns about potential threats to the upcoming election and the safety of election officials.
The first reports of the white powder began surfacing in early October, with election offices in states such as Florida, Georgia, and Ohio all receiving envelopes containing the substance. In some cases, the envelopes also contained threatening messages or references to political figures. While initial tests have shown that the powder is not harmful, authorities are still investigating its origins and potential motives behind the mailings.
The incidents have sparked fears of potential voter intimidation or attempts to disrupt the election process. Election officials have been working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of their offices, as well as to track down those responsible for sending the suspicious mail.
In response to the threats, some election offices have implemented additional security measures, such as increased surveillance and screening of incoming mail. Officials are also urging staff to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity or packages immediately.
The incidents highlight the growing concerns surrounding election security in the United States. With just weeks until the November election, authorities are on high alert for any potential threats or attempts to interfere with the democratic process.
As investigations into the white powder incidents continue, election officials are reminding the public to remain calm and trust in the integrity of the electoral system. They are also urging voters to report any suspicious activity or threats to their local authorities.
In these uncertain times, it is more important than ever to protect the sanctity of our elections and ensure that every vote is counted. By remaining vigilant and working together, we can safeguard our democracy and uphold the principles of free and fair elections.
