Suspicious mailings to election officials, congressional offices under investigation

Federal authorities are investigating suspicious mailings sent to state election offices and congressional offices in several states. The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service say some contained an unknown powdery substance. Officials have not identified who sent the letters.

NPR reports that mailings were sent to officials in Louisiana, Ohio and Oklahoma, as well as congressional offices. In Louisiana, an employee who opened a letter on Tuesday was taken to an emergency room as a precaution but was not injured. Law enforcement found no evidence of harmful substances there.

A notice from the Senate Sergeant at Arms told congressional staff that law enforcement was trying to intercept additional letters. It cautioned that some could still reach their destinations. Deputy Chief Inspector Brendan Donahue said the Postal Inspection Service had stopped delivery of at least one mailing.

The Senate notice advised staff to treat suspicious letters or packages as potentially hazardous and follow established safety protocols. It told them not to handle suspicious mail and to leave the area where it is found. The guidance listed discoloration, powder escaping an envelope and a postmark that does not match the return address as possible warning signs.

The FBI said it was working with law enforcement partners to respond to incidents and identify whoever was responsible. The agency described the mailings as reaching addresses nationwide, including state secretary offices and related election offices. NPR reported that the Senate Sergeant at Arms and U.S. Capitol Police did not respond to its requests for comment.

The investigation echoes 2024 incidents in which more than 15 state election offices received suspicious mailings. The new cases come less than three weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. National associations representing secretaries of state and election directors said election workers should not have to fear for their safety while doing their jobs.