More than 100 powder letters were sent to Thomas, Boebert in mid-2023

FBI probes suspicious letters sent to election offices in three states

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said Thursday it is investigating suspicious mailings, some containing what the bureau described as an “unknown substance,” sent to election offices across the country, just weeks before midterm elections. The letters were sent to addresses including secretary of state offices and other election offices, the bureau said. On a statewide level, secretaries of state are usually tasked with running elections.

The FBI said authorities were working to identify the people responsible for the mailings. The bureau added it was working on the investigation with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service; the inspection service referred a request for comment to the FBI.

The FBI did not disclose the individual locations that received the mailings. Several states, however, reported suspicious mailings earlier in the week.

On Tuesday, an employee at the Louisiana secretary of state’s office in Baton Rouge was taken to the emergency room as a precaution after opening a letter containing white powder, a spokesperson for the office said. Law enforcement conducted tests and found no evidence of harmful substances.

Oklahoma’s State Election Board also received an envelope on Tuesday containing a “suspicious white powder,” according to board secretary Paul Ziriax.

In Ohio, Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Wednesday that his office had been the intended recipient of a suspicious mailing “that contained a powdery white substance.” Investigators with the U.S. Postal Service pre-empted the letter’s delivery, LaRose said.

The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said they were alarmed by reports of the mailings. “Threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy,” the groups said in a joint statement. “Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties.”

The Wall Street Journal’s reporting also detailed earlier suspicious mailings. In mid-2023, more than 100 suspicious letters with white powder were sent to public officials including Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and Colorado Rep. Lauren Boebert. The powder didn’t appear to be dangerous. That November, some election offices received ballot envelopes containing white powder with traces of fentanyl.

In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, anthrax-laced letters were sent to government offices and newsrooms. The anthrax killed five Americans and sickened 17.