COLUMBUS, October 17, 2026 — A suspicious mailing containing a powdery white substance was intercepted before reaching Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose’s office earlier this week. LaRose confirmed the incident and said investigators with the U.S. Postal Service stopped the delivery.
Intercepted Mailing Prompts Investigation
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose said his office was the intended recipient of a suspicious mailing that contained a powdery white substance. He stated that delivery of the letter was preempted by investigators at the U.S. Postal Service, who are dealing with similar mailings sent to election officials in multiple states. LaRose confirmed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the matter in Ohio. This is not the first time LaRose has faced such a threat; a similar incident occurred in 2024 when a threatening piece of mail containing a powdery substance was sent to his home.
Officials Urge Vigilance Across States
LaRose said he has informed county boards of elections to be vigilant in the days ahead. He emphasized that election officials should never have to fear for their personal safety while performing their duties. Similar mailings were reported in Louisiana and Oklahoma, where state election offices received packages with suspicious powders this week. In Louisiana, an employee opened a package containing a white powder and was taken to the emergency room as a precaution, though no harmful substances were found. Louisiana State Police said they are working with the FBI to identify the substance, which was recovered and submitted for testing at the FBI’s crime lab.
National Groups Express Concern
The National Association of Secretaries of State and the National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement expressing concern about the suspicious letters. They said threats against election officials and workers have no place in democracy and that those who administer elections should never fear for their safety while carrying out their essential duties. The groups added that election officials take these matters seriously and work closely with law enforcement and security partners to protect personnel and facilities.
Security Protocols Remain in Place
LaRose said his office has security protocols and contingency plans in place for every election, and they are constantly working with law enforcement to review and improve them as part of readiness planning. He told voters they can have absolute confidence that the election process remains safe and secure. Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said the incident in his state does not impact the ability to conduct elections, and election officials remain committed to ensuring safe and secure elections. Louisiana Secretary of State spokesperson Trey Williams said Tuesday’s event did not impact any election operations in preparation for the upcoming election. The FBI said it and the Postal Service are investigating a series of suspicious mailings sent to various addresses nationwide, including Secretary of State offices and related election offices.
Previous Incident in 2024 Highlights Recurring Threat
LaRose referenced a prior occurrence in 2024 when a similar threatening piece of mail containing a powdery substance was sent to his home. He noted that this earlier incident also involved a suspicious mailing with a powdery substance, underscoring a pattern of threats against his office and residence. The secretary of state confirmed that law enforcement was involved in both instances, though no harmful substances were ultimately found in either case. He emphasized that despite these repeated attempts to intimidate election officials, his commitment to delivering secure and accessible elections remains unchanged.
Sources
- Ohio Secretary of State's office dealing with security incident
- Suspicious white powder sent to election offices in 3 states
- Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose Security Incident — October 14, 2026
Photo: Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America (CC BY-SA 2.0)
