Dangerous Substance Found Unopened in Suspicious Envelope Sent to Election Offices
Authorities are investigating a series of suspicious envelopes sent to election offices this week, prompting a statement from Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs calling it an act of “domestic terrorism.”
In Washington, election workers discovered envelopes containing “unknown powdery substances” that prompted evacuations of several offices. Initial testing of a white powdery substance in one envelope revealed it tested positive for fentanyl, according to the Spokane Police Department. Another envelope found in Washington had a substance that tested positive for baking soda, according to Officer Shelbie Boyd of the Tacoma Police Department.
Meanwhile, the Georgia Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger confirmed that election workers in Fulton County received a suspicious letter, which was intercepted before reaching the election office. Raffensperger stated that no other counties in the state seem to have been targeted and no motive has been determined.
In Oregon, an election office was temporarily closed after receiving a suspicious piece of mail, further complicating the situation.
And in Texas, the Department of Public Safety and the FBI are investigating a letter containing an unknown substance that was sent to the Attorney General’s office. No immediate connection has been established between the letters sent to Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Georgia.
These incidents highlight the increasing frequency of threats faced by election workers, prompting many to leave their positions in recent years. The Department of Justice and the FBI have reported involvement in investigating these concerning events. Both federal agencies have collaborated with local law enforcement to handle these ongoing matters, prioritizing public safety.
ABC News’ Jack V. Date and Luke Barr contributed to this report.
