Suspicious packages containing powdery substances were sent to election officials in multiple states, raising concerns as early voting begins for high-stakes elections.
At a Glance
- Election officials in at least six states received suspicious packages with powdery substances
- No hazardous materials were found; substances were mostly harmless, including flour in Oklahoma
- FBI and U.S. Postal Service are investigating the incidents
- This is the second time in a year that suspicious packages targeted election officials
- Incidents occurred as early voting began, prompting increased security measures
Suspicious Packages Disrupt Election Offices
Election officials in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Oklahoma received suspicious packages containing powdery substances, causing disruptions and evacuations in some locations. The incidents occurred as early voting began for crucial elections, raising concerns about potential threats to the electoral process. Despite initial alarm, hazmat crews quickly determined that the materials were harmless in most cases.
In Iowa, the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines was evacuated after receiving a suspicious package. Kansas experienced a similar situation, with both the secretary of state and attorney general’s offices receiving suspicious mail, leading to the evacuation of a state office building in Topeka. Oklahoma’s State Election Board also received an envelope containing a white, powdery substance, which was later identified as flour.
“We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this,” Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said in a statement after the evacuation of the six-story Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines. “We immediately reported the incident per our protocols.”
Investigation Underway as Authorities Respond
The FBI and U.S. Postal Service are actively investigating these incidents, which bear similarities to events that occurred last November when election officials in multiple states received suspicious packages. In some of those cases, the letters contained fentanyl, a potent and dangerous opioid. This latest wave of suspicious mailings has prompted election offices to increase security measures and stock naloxone as a precaution.
Suspicious packages were sent to election officials in at least five states, but there were no reports that any of the packages contained hazardous material.https://t.co/nh2nC6es5S
— KSL 5 TV (@KSL5TV) September 16, 2024
While the substances found in the current incidents have been deemed non-hazardous, the potential for more serious threats remains a concern. In Wyoming, state workers were sent home pending testing of a white substance found in a suspicious package. The recurring nature of these incidents highlights the ongoing challenges faced by election officials in maintaining the security and integrity of the electoral process.
Heightened Security Measures and Ongoing Threats
These incidents occur against a backdrop of increased harassment and threats directed at election workers since the 2020 election. As a result, election offices across the country have bolstered security measures and implemented new protocols to protect their staff and ensure the smooth operation of elections.
“In Oklahoma, the State Election Board received a suspicious envelope in the mail containing a multi-page document and a white, powdery substance,” agency spokesperson Misha Mohr said in an email to The Associated Press.
The timing of these incidents, coinciding with the start of early voting in many states, underscores the importance of maintaining vigilance and implementing robust security measures to safeguard the electoral process. As investigations continue, election officials remain committed to ensuring the safety of their staff and the integrity of upcoming elections, despite the challenges posed by these disruptive and potentially dangerous incidents.
