Active Violence and threats Updated
Threats of violence against election workers
Threats, harassment, and violence aimed at election officials, poll workers, and their families, which drive experienced people out and can pressure decisions about counting and certifying.
What has happened
- Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said a suspicious letter addressed to her office was intercepted before delivery and turned over to Capitol Police and the FBI. Maine brings the states on the map to 25. Preliminary tests so far show no hazardous material, and no arrests.
- Alaska, Kansas and Kentucky join the map, bringing the states to 24. WIRED reports election offices in at least 32 states were targeted. Kentucky's board says postal inspectors believe more than 700 letters went out. No injuries, no arrests.
- Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson said a letter with white powder addressed to her office was intercepted by a postal inspector and turned over to the FBI, bringing the states on the map to 21. No arrests have been announced.
- Massachusetts Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin said a suspicious envelope addressed to the Elections Division was spotted before delivery and taken by postal inspectors. Massachusetts brings the states on the map to 26. No arrests.
- Minnesota's Secretary of State reported a threatening letter with white powder was intercepted, and Tennessee confirmed a package bound for its Division of Elections was stopped, bringing the states on the map to 19. No injuries and no sender named.
- Delaware's election commissioner's office was evacuated Oct. 15 after staff opened a powder letter, and letters bound for Mississippi and Oregon were intercepted, bringing the states on the map to 17. Delaware staff are back at work from a temporary office.
- Maryland confirmed a suspicious package addressed to its State Board of Elections was intercepted, bringing the states on the map to 14. No powder has tested hazardous and no arrests have been announced. The FBI, Postal Inspection Service and Capitol Police are investigating.
- The Illinois State Board of Elections evacuated its Chicago office after a suspicious envelope arrived, and the FBI took custody of it. The office reopened the next day. Illinois brings the states on the map to 20.
- Suspicious letters reached or were bound for election offices in at least 13 states this week. Arizona, Louisiana, and Oklahoma offices were evacuated, and at least eight letters were intercepted. Officials were told more than 100 went out nationwide. The FBI is investigating.
- A Brennan Center survey found 32 percent of local and state election officials have experienced threats, harassment, or abuse, and 23 percent are concerned about being assaulted at home or at work.
Where it has been observed
- Maryland Active since Oct 15, 2026
- A suspicious letter, some with a powdery substance, is sent to an election office. Maryland State Board of Elections, Annapolis, Maryland · Oct 15, 2026
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