Election Offices in at Least 32 US States Receive Suspicious Letters
Election offices in at least 32 US states received or were expecting suspicious letters over the past week, some containing white powder. The powder has so far proven harmless, and the FBI is investigating the series of mailings.
Election offices in at least 32 US states were reached, or targeted, by suspicious letters over the past week, according to an investigation by WIRED. The US midterm elections, in which Congress members are chosen, are two weeks away, which makes the safety of election staff a pressing concern.
How it unfolded
Last Tuesday afternoon, an employee at the Louisiana secretary of state's office opened a mailed letter and white powder fell out. The office was evacuated and the employee was taken to an emergency room. The person was not hurt, and tests showed the substance was not harmful. The office reopened on Wednesday. State spokesperson Trey Williams said the incident did not affect election preparations.
Over the following days, similar letters were sent to at least 31 other states. Most were intercepted by the US Postal Service before reaching their destinations. In Arizona, Delaware, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Louisiana, however, the letters got through, and offices were evacuated after white powder was found.
Officials in 10 states and the District of Columbia said they had received no suspicious mail, while eight states did not respond.
The investigation
The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to addresses nationwide, including secretary of state offices. The FBI would not say how many letters it has identified or whether it has any leads.
A letter intercepted in Utah listed the sender as "DSA", apparently standing for the Democratic Socialists of America, along with a New York ZIP code. The organization has denied any involvement. Similar letters also reached congressional offices, including those of senators Ted Cruz, Chris Murphy and Alex Padilla. A letter to Michigan representative Hillary Scholten warned of a "civil war" after the midterms.
In a joint statement, the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said they were deeply concerned and that threats against election officials have no place in a democracy.
