Suspicious packages reported at New York and Wyoming capitols
Developing story first seen 2 hours ago
New reports say suspicious packages were also received at the New York State Capitol in Albany and the Wyoming State Capitol in Cheyenne, as federal authorities investigate potentially hazardous mail sent to election and congressional offices. The cases come weeks before the US midterm elections, which will determine the balance of power in Congress.
Authorities have not said how many offices were targeted, and some letters were intercepted before delivery. Oklahoma and Louisiana reported letters containing white powder; Louisiana’s office was evacuated after one was opened, then reopened after officials found no evidence of harmful substances. Ohio and Senator Chris Murphy’s office also reported intercepted letters. Before the 2024 election, officials in 17 states received suspicious packages.
- Suspicious packages were reported at New York and Wyoming state capitols.
- Some letters to election offices were intercepted before delivery.
- Similar packages reached officials in 17 states before the 2024 election.
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US election offices run elections at state and local level, while Congress sets federal laws and oversees national government. Each state has its own election officials and procedures, so responsibility is spread across many offices rather than held by one national election agency.
The US midterm elections take place halfway through a president’s four-year term. Voters choose members of the House of Representatives and some senators, as well as state and local officials. The results can change which party controls Congress and influence how federal laws are made.
Election offices handle tasks such as registering voters, preparing ballots and counting votes. Threats or disruptions can affect staff and public confidence in the process, which is why suspicious mail to these offices draws attention.
Full account
Federal authorities are investigating letters containing unidentified or potentially hazardous substances sent to congressional and state election offices in several parts of the United States. The FBI and US Postal Inspection Service said they were tracing the mailings and trying to establish what they contained and who sent them. Some letters were intercepted before delivery. Officials have not given a total number of offices affected.
Election offices in Louisiana and Oklahoma reported receiving letters with white powder. Louisiana’s office was evacuated on Tuesday after a staff member opened a package; it later reopened after investigators found no evidence of a harmful substance. Oklahoma’s election board also evacuated its premises following a similar delivery. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said a letter addressed to his office had been stopped by postal investigators before it arrived.
The reports also describe a letter containing a suspicious substance sent to Senator Chris Murphy’s office, which was intercepted, and packages that prompted responses at the state capitols in New York and Wyoming. A separate update from Capitol Police and the Senate sergeant at arms said at least one Senate office had been targeted and alerted other congressional offices. Election administrators’ national associations said security arrangements and contingency plans were in place, and urged that staff should be able to carry out their work without fear.
The incidents have heightened concern in the weeks before the midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. They follow earlier episodes involving suspicious mail sent to election offices: packages were reported in 17 states before the 2024 election, while envelopes, some containing fentanyl, were sent to offices in at least five states a year earlier. The reports also place the current threat amid a broader rise in intimidation and harassment of election workers, though they provide limited detail about the contents of the latest mailings or any suspects.
Where outlets differ
The first report gives more detail about Louisiana’s evacuation and reopening, and notes the New York and Wyoming capitol incidents based on emergency responder scanner feeds. The second emphasises the Oklahoma evacuation, the Senate-wide alert and statements from election administrators’ associations.
The reports describe the federal agencies’ role somewhat differently: the first names the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service as investigators, while the second also refers to the US Postal Service and Capitol Police updates. Neither provides a confirmed count of all targets, and the substances remain unidentified.
More coverage
- Daily Mail — Widespread terror as FBI investigates 'suspicious substances' mailed to lawmakers and election offices
- NPR — Suspicious mailings to election officials, congressional offices under investigation
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Originally published by BBC World as “Letters with ‘suspicious substances’ sent to US election offices”.