Suspicious powder sent to US election officials in three states

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 15 Oct, 18:32 · Archive

Election officials in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Ohio received packages containing suspicious white powder, prompting law enforcement investigation.

Packages containing suspicious white powder were sent to election officials in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Ohio. Louisiana's Secretary of State Nancy Landry said her office in Baton Rouge was closed after an Elections Division employee opened a package at around 12:20 p.m. CDT on Tuesday and found white powder inside. The Oklahoma State Election Board received an envelope with suspicious white powder on Tuesday morning, and both offices were evacuated. The US Postal Service intercepted a similar letter intended for Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said investigators were "dealing with similar mailings sent to election officials in multiple states" and that the FBI was handling the matter. A US Senate sergeant at arms notice obtained by the Associated Press indicated law enforcement officials were working to intercept additional mail, though some could reach their destination. Federal authorities have urged recipients to treat such mail as "potentially hazardous".

Brendan Donahue, a senior official with the US Postal Inspection Service, said at a press conference: "We are committed to protecting our nation's election officials from threatening and dangerous mail. Any threat or attack on an election official is unacceptable." No one was harmed in any of the incidents. Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said the incidents would not impact the state's ability to conduct elections.

How it is being reported

• Suspicious white powder sent to election officials in three statesElection officials in Ohio, Louisiana and Oklahoma said they were sent packages containing suspicious white powder, prompting law enforcement to investigate.UPI · 15 Oct, 19:29
• FBI investigates letters with ‘unknown substance’ sent to US election officialsElection officers in Louisiana and Oklahoma receive a powdery substance, prompting evacuations The FBI and the US Postal Inspection Service are investigating letters sent to state officials and election offices across the country containing an “unknown substance”. Just weeks before November’s US midterm elections , election officers in Louisiana and Oklahoma received envelopes containing a powdery substance, leading to evacuations. A similar package containing white powder was also sent to the Ohio secretary of state, but the US Postal Service intercepted the package. Continue reading...Guardian World · 15 Oct, 18:06
• Suspicious white powder sent to election officials in three statesElection officials in Ohio, Louisiana and Oklahoma said they were sent packages containing suspicious white powder, prompting law enforcement to investigate.UPI · 15 Oct, 04:15

In this story: Louisiana · Oklahoma · Ohio · FBI · US Postal Service · Nancy Landry · Frank LaRose

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