Law enforcement has intercepted a letter containing white powder addressed to the Washington Secretary of State’s elections division, as federal agencies investigate a series of suspicious mailings sent to election offices across the United States.
The envelope was stopped before reaching its intended facility, although authorities have not said where it was intercepted or identified the substance. No injuries have been reported in connection with the Washington mailing.
The FBI and US Postal Inspection Service are examining similar letters sent to state election offices and other public officials. The FBI has said some of the mailings contained an unknown substance and that investigators were working with partner agencies to identify those responsible.
Washington election officials working with law enforcement
Washington’s Secretary of State’s Office confirmed the incident in a statement posted on Thursday, saying it was working with law enforcement to protect election workers and voters.
“An attack on election officials or candidates is an attack on our democracy,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said. “I thank our federal partners who are doing everything they can to investigate these incidents and bring the perpetrators to justice.”
The development comes as Washington prepares for its general election on 3 November. Ballots were due to be mailed to more than 5.1 million registered voters across the state by Friday, 16 October, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Several county election offices contacted in Washington said their operations were continuing as normal and that they had not received suspicious mail.
Kendall Hodson, chief of staff for King County Elections, said administrators had spent the year preparing for potential hazards, including suspicious packages. She said voters should not expect the incident to disrupt the election process, while encouraging them to return ballots early by post or to an official drop box.
King County election staff previously received a letter containing traces of fentanyl in 2023 while processing ballots. An envelope containing an unidentified substance was also sent to the Okanogan County Auditor’s Office that year, prompting the evacuation of a county courthouse.
Emergency crews in Seattle separately responded to the Federal Building in the city centre on Thursday after another mailing containing white powder was received there.
Federal authorities have not said whether the Washington letter is linked to a specific person or group. The wider investigation remains ongoing.
