Election offices in three states targeted by mailings of unexplained powder

Authorities are investigating after envelopes carrying unexplained powders were sent to election agencies in at least three states, just weeks before midterm balloting gets underway.

Officials in Louisiana and Oklahoma confirmed receiving suspicious packages earlier this week, while postal inspectors intercepted another piece of mail intended for the Ohio secretary of state's office before it reached its destination. No injuries or illnesses have been reported in connection with the deliveries.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said it is collaborating with the U.S. Postal Service and local law enforcement agencies to probe a series of suspicious mailings directed at state election offices across the country. According to the FBI, several of the letters contained unidentified substances, and investigators are working to determine who sent them.

In Louisiana, a worker in the secretary of state's elections division opened an envelope containing white powder, prompting an emergency room evaluation as a safety measure. State police said the material was secured and sent to an FBI laboratory for chemical analysis, though initial checks indicated no hazardous substances were present. Local media reported that the state office building in Baton Rouge was temporarily cleared following the discovery. A spokesperson emphasized that preparations for the upcoming vote remain entirely on schedule.

Oklahoma election administrators also reported receiving a similar package on Tuesday. Paul Ziriax, secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, issued a public reassurance that the incident would not disrupt the agency's ability to oversee a safe and secure vote.

In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose commended postal inspectors for halting the suspicious item before delivery. LaRose stated that his staff is coordinating with federal and state investigators, noting that election workers should never face intimidation or safety risks while performing their constitutional roles.

National leadership groups representing top election administrators issued a joint statement condemning the mailings. The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors emphasized that threats against poll workers and election personnel are unacceptable in a democracy, adding that administrators routinely coordinate with security agencies to safeguard facilities and staff.

The incidents follow a pattern from 2024, when election offices in approximately 20 states received letters containing suspicious powders, leading federal authorities to issue updated safety guidelines for handling hazardous mail.