In the United States, at least six states’ election officials received suspicious packages on Monday, September 16th, but there have been no reports indicating that these packages contained dangerous substances.
According to reports from the Associated Press, officials in Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Oklahoma confirmed that their respective Secretaries of State and election offices received packages containing powder on Monday. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the United States Postal Service are conducting investigations. This marks the second incident in the past year where individuals have mailed suspicious packages to election office officials in multiple states.
As the latest wave of panic unfolds, with less than two months remaining until the November U.S. election, several states have already begun early voting. The incidents involving suspicious packages have added disruptions to what is already a tense election season.
In some of the states, officials reported finding white powder in envelopes received by election officials. However, most states have stated that the substances were harmless. Officials in Oklahoma stated that the materials sent to their election office contained flour. Wyoming officials have not yet clarified whether the materials they received are harmful.
The receipt of these packages led to evacuations in Iowa. However, hazardous materials teams in several states quickly determined that the substances were not dangerous.
April M. McCollum, a spokesperson for the Kansas Highway Patrol, stated in a release that due to suspicious mail received by both the Secretary of State and the state Attorney General, a state government building in Topeka, the state capital, was also evacuated.
In November of last year, election offices and government buildings in at least six states received suspicious mailings. Some of these mailings contained fentanyl, and even though the suspicious mail was non-toxic, it caused delays in vote counting at some local election offices.
Following the 2020 election, in light of the continuous incidents of harassment and threats, election offices across the United States have taken measures to enhance building security and strengthen protection for staff members.