With midterm elections mere weeks away, election officials in three states have confirmed they received suspicious packages at their offices over the past few days.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said a letter containing a “powdery white substance” was blocked from delivery by US Postal Service investigators, and the FBI is now investigating the incident.
In a statement on the matter shared to his social media, LaRose wrote, “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.”
“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,” he further stated, in no uncertain terms.
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. https://t.co/tNFceWfojb
— Frank LaRose (@FrankLaRose) October 14, 2026
But Ohio wasn’t the only place hit.
In a formal statement, Oklahoma’s Secretary of State’s election board, Paul Ziriax, confirmed that his office also received an envelope containing “suspicious white powder,” prompting an evacuation.
He thanked state troopers and other Oklahoma law enforcement officials for their prompt response to the incident before confirming that no one was injured or sickened by the substance.
“We want to assure Oklahoma voters that today’s incident does not impact our ability to conduct elections,” he wrote. “Election officials remain committed to ensuring safe and secure elections.”
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced in a social media post that the same thing happened at her Baton Rouge office, prompting an evacuation there as well, after an elections employee opened a package to find “white powder.”
Statement on Suspicious Substance Found at Secretary of State’s Office
An Elections Division employee opened a package this afternoon around 12:20 p.m. at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office off Essen Lane in Baton Rouge and found a white powder. We do not know what the substance is at this time, and there are no injuries at this time. Out of an abundance of caution, we have evacuated the Elections section and turned off the building’s air conditioning. Law enforcement has been called and is responding to the incident.
— Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry (@Louisiana_sos) October 13, 2026
She posted an update later that evening, telling the public that law enforcement found “no evidence of harmful substances” after running a series of tests on the powder. She promised her office would continue to review the incident to tighten safety measures.
The Secretary of State’s Office on Archives Ave. in Baton Rouge will resume normal operations tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14.
Law enforcement responded to today’s incident and conducted tests that found no evidence of harmful substances.
In the coming days, we will review today’s incident to identify improvements we can make to help ensure the safety and well-being of our employees.
— Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry (@Louisiana_sos) October 13, 2026
The FBI has confirmed that the Bureau, as well as the US Postal Inspection Service, is investigating the packages.
“We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters,” an FBI spokesperson announced. “This FBI will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors released a joint statement in the aftermath of the incidents, saying they are “deeply concerned.”
“As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy,” both organizations wrote. “Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties.”
