
Federal authorities are delving into suspicious packages sent to election officials, sparking alarms about potential threats.
At a Glance
- The FBI and Postal Inspection Service investigate packages sent to officials in over 15 states.
- No injuries or hazardous materials reported.
- The affected states include Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, and others.
- This is the second such incident in a year, causing election disruptions.
Federal Investigation into Suspicious Packages Sent to Election Officials
Federal authorities, including the FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in over 15 states. The coordinated effort underscores the critical role of safeguarding democratic processes and ensuring public trust in fair and free elections. These investigations also highlight the ongoing risks election officials face, especially during critical voting periods.
The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are collaborating to determine the number of letters sent, the identity of the senders, and their motives. A quote from these agencies states: “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. As this is an ongoing matter we will not be commenting further on the investigation, but the public can be assured safety is our top priority.”
The FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the origin of suspicious packages that have been sent to or received by elections officials in more than a dozen states, including Georgia. https://t.co/BcD7hBFMm5
— FOX 5 Atlanta (@FOX5Atlanta) September 18, 2024
States Affected and Security Measures
States affected by these suspicious packages include Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Connecticut. The FBI is currently collecting these packages, some of which contained an unknown substance. Despite the concerns raised, no injuries or hazardous materials have been reported. This incident adds to the previous year’s occurrences where letters containing fentanyl caused similar election disruptions.
“This must stop, period,” the National Association of Secretaries of State said. “Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats or intimidation of any kind.”
The National Association of Secretaries of State has condemned these threats, emphasizing that political violence and intimidation have no place in a democracy. Security protocols are now firmly in place in various states to tackle such situations effectively. Local election directors are bolstering security to protect both workers and polling sites. Instances like the evacuation of Iowa’s Lucas State Office Building due to a suspicious package highlight the severity of the situation. “We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this,” Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said.
Concurrent Threats and Increased Vigilance
Envelopes containing a white powder were sent to several election offices across states such as Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wyoming. In a Colorado case, the powder was identified as harmless. Additionally, Oklahoma officials determined the substance in their package was flour. Despite these findings, the events have caused significant disruptions, coinciding with early voting for important elections.
“Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident and safely collect the letters,” stated the investigative agency.
These threats come on the heels of last year’s incidents involving suspicious mail that included fentanyl, which caused delays in ballot counting. Election offices have since escalated security measures in response to ongoing threats and harassment that have persisted since the 2020 election. Heightened vigilance and comprehensive security protocols are essential to protect the integrity of democratic processes and ensure public confidence in elections.
Sources:
- FBI investigates suspicious packages sent to election officials in several states including Missouri