Suspicious Packages Sent to Election Officials Trigger Major Investigation

United States Post Office sign on brick building.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Service are investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials across 15 states.

At a Glance

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious packages sent to election officials in over 15 states.
No injuries or hazardous materials have been reported from the packages.
The investigation aims to determine the number of letters sent, the responsible parties, and their motives.
The incidents coincide with early voting for high-stakes elections, causing disruptions.
States affected include Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, and others.

Federal Investigation Underway

The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are conducting investigations into suspicious packages received by election officials in more than 15 states. These investigations are part of a concerted effort to ensure the safety of election personnel and the integrity of the electoral process. Despite the alarm these packages have caused, no hazardous substances or injuries have been reported.

The packages have been sent to states such as Alaska, Colorado, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Connecticut. Some of these packages contained an unknown substance. The FBI is meticulously collecting these packages as part of the investigation to determine their origins and motives behind the mailings.

VIDEO: The FBI and U.S. Postal Service were investigating suspicious packages that have been sent to or received by elections officials in more than 10 states, but there were no immediate reports that any of the packages contained hazardous material. https://t.co/nRiGytIazY

— 10/11 News (@1011_News) September 18, 2024

Securing the Election Process

The investigation aims to ascertain the total number of letters sent, identify their senders, and understand their motives. Alongside federal authorities, local election directors are also taking steps to ensure the safety and security of the election process. The incidents coincide with the early voting period, pointing to potential attempts to disrupt the electoral process.

“We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters,” the agencies said. “As this is an ongoing matter, we will not be commenting further on the investigation, but the public can be assured safety is our top priority.”

States like Iowa, Oklahoma, and Wyoming witnessed evacuations due to suspicious packages. In these instances, the materials were found to be harmless. In Colorado, one package, labeled from the “U.S. Traitor Elimination Army,” contained a white powder that was later identified as non-hazardous.

The FBI and U.S. Postal Service were investigating the suspicious packages.https://t.co/gtop9fOlEQ

— WTAJ News (@WTAJnews) September 17, 2024

Calls for Vigilance and Safety

State and federal authorities emphasize the importance of remaining vigilant and following safety protocols. “Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident and safely collect the letters,” the agencies stated to CBS News.

“We have specific protocols in place for situations such as this,” Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate remarked after the evacuation in Des Moines.

Previous incidents of suspicious packages sent to election officials, including letters containing fentanyl, have raised security concerns and disrupted electoral processes. The National Association of Secretaries of State condemned these acts, urging an end to political violence and intimidation. “This must stop, period,” their statement read. “Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats, or intimidation of any kind.”