Suspicious envelopes sent to election offices in three states, authorities say

Suspicious envelopes have been sent to election offices in three states, authorities said.

Washington state’s secretary of State’s office confirmed envelopes with “unknown powdery substances” were received in elections offices in four counties Thursday. The offices in King, Pierce, Spokane and Skagit counties were evacuated, according to a press release.

“The safety of staff and observers is paramount as elections workers across the state open envelopes and count each voter’s ballot,” Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs (D) said in the release. “These incidents underscore the critical need for stronger protections for all election workers. Democracy rests upon free and fair elections. These incidents are acts of terrorism to threaten our elections.”

The press release also noted similar incidents that occurred this summer in the Evergreen State. 

“During the state’s Aug. 1 primary, King County and Okanogan County election officials received suspicious substances in envelopes,” the release continued. “The envelope and letter received by King County Elections were turned over to the United States Postal Inspection Service, which performed an analysis that detected trace amounts of fentanyl. The substance found in the Okanogan County envelope was determined to be unharmful.”

In a press conference, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger also confirmed that there was an envelope headed toward Fulton County that was tested and found to have fentanyl.

“This is domestic terrorism, and it needs to be condemned by anyone that holds elected office and anyone that wants to hold elective office, anywhere in America,” Raffensberger said. 

Devon Ashbridge, a public information officer for Lane County, Ore., said staff in an elections office in the county “received a piece of suspicious mail” Wednesday. Ashbridge said they reported it to local law enforcement and the elections office was closed for the rest of the day. 

“It’s certainly a somber mood today, but we’re very grateful that the people who came into contact with that piece of mail, haven’t reported any symptoms or medical issues,” Ashbridge told The Hill. “So, we’re grateful that everyone is safe, but it’s certainly a chilling reality to come back to work knowing that someone out there, at minimum wanted to terrorize you, and potentially wanted to cause you harm.”

Updated: 3:40 p.m.