US Election Offices Targeted in Suspicious Mailings, FBI Says

US federal authorities are investigating suspicious letters sent to election offices across the country, including Connecticut’s secretary of state, after some envelopes were found to contain a white powdery substance.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Postal Inspection Service are investigating the mailings, which prompted evacuations at election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma on Tuesday. Preliminary testing of substances recovered in several states found no hazardous materials, according to Connecticut’s Office of the Secretary of the State.

Connecticut election officials contacted local election offices after learning of the suspicious mailings, reminding staff to follow established procedures for handling potentially dangerous mail before it was known whether any office in the state had been targeted.

The FBI later informed the Connecticut office that it had been the intended recipient of one of the letters, which federal authorities intercepted.

Stephanie Thomas, Connecticut’s secretary of the state, said she was relieved that preliminary tests had found no hazardous substances but condemned the incidents.

“Election workers are our neighbors, friends, and community members. No one should have to fear for their safety simply because they're doing their jobs,” Thomas said.

She said cooperation between local election officials and federal agencies had helped facilitate information-sharing and a rapid response to the incidents.

Thomas also joined fellow state officials in condemning the mailings through a joint statement issued by the National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors.

Source: FSX Business News