Poli Alert Politics & Civics
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Jimmy Williams
Election officials in more than a dozen states, including Colorado, Georgia, and Massachusetts, received suspicious packages on Tuesday, prompting an investigation by the FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service. The packages, some of which contained an unknown substance, were mailed during a tense voting season ahead of the 2024 presidential and key state elections.
Authorities reported no injuries, and no hazardous materials were immediately found. The FBI is now working to identify the source and motive behind the packages.
Kristen Setera, spokesperson for the FBI in Boston, said in a statement, “We are also working with our partners to determine how many letters were sent, the individual or individuals responsible for the letters, and the motive behind the letters. The public can be assured safety is our top priority.”
This marks the second time in a year that election officials have been targeted by suspicious mail. The latest incidents come as early voting begins across several states, adding further strain to already heightened security measures designed to protect election workers and prevent voter interference.
Packages were delivered to election offices in states including Colorado, Indiana, New York, and Mississippi, prompting security responses and evacuations in some areas. In Iowa, Oklahoma, and Wyoming, offices were temporarily evacuated, though initial tests indicated that the white powder sent was harmless. Oklahoma officials revealed the substance found in their package was simply flour.
In Colorado, a package addressed to the Secretary of State’s office listed the sender as the “U.S. Traitor Elimination Army” and contained a white powder that was intercepted at a mail facility. The Secretary of State’s office indicated that early tests suggested the powder was non-toxic.
The National Association of Secretaries of State condemned the incidents, highlighting an alarming pattern of threats directed toward election officials. “This must stop, period. Our democracy has no place for political violence, threats, or intimidation of any kind,” the association said in a statement.
Election offices have been bolstering security protocols since the 2020 presidential election, as false claims of election fraud have led to an uptick in threats. This latest round of suspicious mailings adds to the ongoing concerns about political violence and its potential impact on the integrity of the election process.
Kansas, Mississippi, and Wyoming also reported receiving packages, with authorities in those states conducting tests on the substances found. In Topeka, Kansas, the secretary of state and attorney general’s offices were evacuated, though preliminary tests showed no hazardous materials.
The FBI’s ongoing investigation aims to trace the origins of these packages and determine whether any specific threats or motives are tied to political events, particularly as the nation approaches the Nov. 5 election.
Meanwhile, election workers across the country are increasing their security measures as they prepare to protect the voting process in this highly charged political environment.
