Election officials in Ohio, Oklahoma, and Louisiana reported receiving suspicious packages containing white powder this week, heightening security concerns just weeks before the midterm elections. The incidents prompted evacuations and triggered federal investigations, underscoring the growing threats facing election administrators.
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said Wednesday that U.S. Postal Service investigators intercepted a letter containing a powdery substance addressed to his office. The FBI has assumed jurisdiction over the case, LaRose said in a statement shared on social media.
“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.”
In Oklahoma, Paul Ziriax, secretary of the state election board, said his office was evacuated Tuesday after receiving an envelope containing a suspicious white powder. State troopers and other law enforcement agencies responded to the scene, and no injuries were reported. Ziriax assured voters that the incident would not disrupt election operations.
“We want to assure Oklahoma voters that today’s incident does not impact our ability to conduct elections,” he said. “Election officials remain committed to ensuring safe and secure elections.”
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry reported Tuesday afternoon that her office’s Baton Rouge building was evacuated after an employee opened a package containing white powder. Later that evening, Landry announced that law enforcement tests found no harmful substances, but her office would review the incident to identify safety improvements.
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI have been contacted for comment. These incidents follow similar threats during the 2024 presidential election cycle, when election offices in multiple states received white powder letters.
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement Wednesday expressing deep concern over the latest reports. “As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy,” the groups said. “Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties.”
The recurrence of such threats highlights the persistent security challenges facing election infrastructure. Earlier this year, a federal judge extended a halt on taxpayer-funded ads by former President Trump, and public opposition to election betting remains high as the midterms approach. Meanwhile, Democrats have accused Trump of pre-election retaliation in a separate incident, and his legal pressure on the press continues to intensify.
