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Update, Oct. 15, 3 p.m.: This story has been updated to reflect that a suspicious letter was sent to Connecticut.
Correction, Oct. 15: This story has been corrected with the fact that the FBI disclosed its investigation on Thursday, not Friday.
The FBI said Thursday that it is investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to election officials across the nation, an unusually widespread example of election workers being physically threatened during a highly charged midterm campaign.
Federal officials have been speaking with targeted leaders across the country as they work to get a handle on the scope of the apparent attack. Three election officials briefed on the evolving investigation said they were told more than 100 letters were sent to people and groups across the country. The list includes at least one U.S. senator and a polling organization.
Officials in Louisiana and Oklahoma said they received suspicious letters containing a powdery white substance. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose and New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan said that federal officials had intercepted similar letters bound for their offices. The FBI also informed the Connecticut secretary of state a letter had been intercepted. The local FBI field office confirmed it had “received multiple interceptions.”
“Election officials should never have to fear for their personal safety while performing their duties, and there is no place in a peaceful democracy for violence, threats or acts of intimidation,” LaRose said. “We have a duty to the citizens of Ohio to deliver secure and accessible elections, and these kinds of cowardly threats will not deter us from that mission.”
The FBI said it could not confirm specific cases, but did say its investigation is expansive.
“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices,” the FBI said. “Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident.”
Attacks on elected officials have been on the rise in recent years. In 2024, suspicious packages were sent to election officials in at least six states.
Alexander Shur and Carrie Levine contributed reporting.
Jessica Huseman is Votebeat’s editorial director and is based in Dallas. Contact Jessica at jhuseman@votebeat.org.
Dion Nissenbaum is Votebeat’s senior national reporter and is based in Houston. Contact Dion at dnissenbaum@votebeat.org.
