COLUMBUS — The FBI is investigating after the U.S. Postal Service intercepted a suspicious letter intended for the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office.
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Ohio Secretary of State (OSOS) Frank LaRose confirmed in a statement that his office was the intended recipient of a “suspicious mailing that contained a powdery white substance.”
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He said that the Postal Service is dealing with similar suspicious mailings targeting election officials in several states.
LaRose stated he told county boards of elections to stay vigilant.
“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,” he 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.”
LaRose said voters can have “absolute confidence” that Ohio’s election process is safe and secure.
“We also have security protocols and contingency plans in place for every election,” he said. “We are constantly working with law enforcement to review and improve them as part of our readiness planning for every election.”
LaRose said that the FBI is handling the investigation here in Ohio.
News Center 7 reached out to the FBI about the investigation and received the following statement:
“The FBI and U.S. Postal Inspection Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and their related election offices. Some of the letters contained an unknown substance and we are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident. We are also working with our partners to identify the individual or individuals responsible for the letters. This FBI and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service will continue to safeguard the public and secure elections for American citizens.”
Early voting is underway in Ohio ahead of the November election.
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