FBI investigates suspicious powder sent to election officials in 3 states

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Oct. 14 (UPI) -- Election officials in Ohio, Louisiana and Oklahoma said they were sent packages containing suspicious white powder, prompting law enforcement to investigate. In a memo to senior congressional staff Thursday, the Senate Sergeant at Arms said the Capitol Police, FBI, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating the mail sent to Capitol Hill offices as well as lawmakers' state and district offices. Separately, a notice to House staffers described the substance in the mailings as a "suspicious white powder," adding that no members of the House "have been identified as recipients at this time." The House Sergeant at Arms told staff to "remain vigilant and follow safe mail handling procedures to help protect staff from potentially harmful materials." The suspicious powder was discovered in Louisiana and Oklahoma on Tuesday, while a similar mailing intended for Ohio was intercepted Wednesday. Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said in a statement that her office in Baton Rouge was closed Tuesday after an Elections Division employee opened a package at around 12:20 p.m. CDT and found white powder inside. The Oklahoma State Election Board said in a statement it received an envelope containing a "suspicious white powder" on Tuesday morning. And a statement from Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose on Wednesday states that U.S. Postal Service investigators intercepted a letter containing "a powdery white substance" intended for his office. The offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma were evacuated, while the Louisiana office was closed for the remainder of Tuesday. LaRose said investigators who intercepted the envelope intended for his Ohio office were "dealing with similar mailings sent to election officials in multiple states." He said the FBI was handling the matter. "We have informed our county boards of elections to be vigilant in the days ahead," he said. Landry stated Tuesday that her office did not know what the substance was, but law enforcement was responding to the incident. The Oklahoma State Election Board said the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was "immediately" notified after it received the envelope. "Thankfully, no one from the State Election Board staff was harmed as a result of this incident," State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said. "We want to assure Oklahoma voters that today's incident does not impact our ability to conduct elections. Election officials remain committed to ensuring safe and secure elections." The FBI told NBC News in a statement that it was working with its partners to identify those behind the letters, while declining to confirm where letters had been received. The incidents come just weeks before Nov. 3 midterm elections. The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors said in a joint statement Wednesday that they are "deeply concerned by these incidents." "As we have each stated in the past, threats against election officials and workers have no place in our democracy. Those who administer our elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties," it said. This article originally appeared on United Press International at https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2026/10/14/Ohio-Louisiana-Oklahoma-white-powder/7831792031234/