Letters with 'suspicious substances' sent to US election offices - BBC News
By Grace Eliza Goodwin
Federal authorities are investigating “potentially hazardous” letters containing “suspicious substances” mailed to congressional and state election offices across the US.
The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) are working to trace the “suspicious mailings”, some of which were intercepted before delivery.
While authorities refused to disclose the exact number of targeted offices, several secretaries of state and congressional offices confirmed receiving the letters.
This incident, occurring just weeks before the US midterm elections, echoes previous security concerns involving suspicious mail.
At least five Democratic senators' offices received the letters, most of which were intercepted, according to CBS News. These included:
- Delaware's Lisa Blunt Rochester
- California's Alex Padilla
- New York's Chuck Schumer
- New York's Kirsten Gillibrand
- Connecticut's Chris Murphy (the letter containing a suspicious substance was intercepted)
Several state offices also reported receiving similar mailings.
Delaware's Department of Elections noted staff followed proper protocols when handling a letter containing a white powdery substance. Similarly, the Oklahoma State Election Board and Louisiana Secretary of State reported receiving letters with white powder.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose stated his office received a letter with white powder, but the USPIS intercepted it.
The New York State Capitol in Albany and Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne also received suspicious packages, according to emergency responder scanner feeds reviewed by the BBC.
The FBI and USPIS assured the public, "This FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens."
These mailings come amid heightened tensions leading up to the midterm elections, which will determine Congress's composition. In 2024, vote officials in 17 states received suspicious packages, and in 2022, envelopes laced with fentanyl were sent to election offices in at least five states.