By RANDY BRACHT | THE CENTER SQUARE
Elections offices in four Washington counties were closed as a precaution Wednesday after they received envelopes containing unknown powdery substances, reported the Secretary of State’s Office.
The suspicious envelopes were received in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties. The discoveries disrupted ballot counting by workers following Tuesday’s general election in Washington.
In Spokane, police said the substance tested positive as fentanyl, a potentially deadly synthetic opioid. The Seattle Times reported that an envelope containing fentanyl had been sent to the King County elections office.
Local, state, and federal authorities are investigating the incidents.
Calling them “acts of terrorism,” Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said the incidents illustrate the need to take seriously the threats that elections workers face in administering Washington’s democratic process.
“The safety of staff and observers is paramount as elections workers across the state open envelopes and count each voter’s ballot,” said Hobbs. “These incidents underscore the critical need for stronger protections for all election workers. Democracy rests upon free and fair elections. These incidents are acts of terrorism to threaten our elections.”
Spokane police said they were notified around 10 a.m. of a white powdery substance discovered at the county elections office. The department’s Explosive Disposal Unit and the Spokane Fire Department’s Hazardous Materials Team responded and retrieved the substance, which tested positive for fentanyl but negative for chemical/biological agents, explosive compounds, or other controlled substances.
“SPD is working with state and federal partners on this ongoing investigation. Similar incidents have occurred at other election offices across the state today,” the police department reported.
During Washington’s Aug. 1 primary, King County and Okanogan County election officials received suspicious substances in envelopes, said the Secretary of State’s Office.
The envelope and letter received by King County Elections were turned over to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, which performed an analysis that detected trace amounts of fentanyl. The substance found in the Okanogan County envelope was determined to be unharmful.
Sounds like voter intimidation and unlucky it moves north .
Well vote in person at a polling station like the old days. Too many ways to make elections unsecured and not reliable. Pen and paper is the wave of the future.
Get rid of mail-in voting! Problem solved.
Except this article is about letters being sent to election offices, not ballots. Clearly the kids spend too much time playing video games, have horrible families, and need better mental health care.
I shouldn’t laugh, but I am. Liberalism reaping the harvest it planted.
Plus a progressive state being worried about “free and fair elections?”
Sort of like pulling a false fire alarm to stop a congressional vote.
Entirely likely the intention of this extends far beyond threatening the well being of individual election workers. Smells like a communist setup…
““The safety of staff and observers is paramount as elections workers across the state open envelopes and count each voter’s ballot,” said Hobbs. “These incidents underscore the critical need for stronger protections for all election workers. Democracy rests upon free and fair elections. These incidents are acts of terrorism to threaten our elections.””
These actions underscore the critical need for stronger protections for all US CITIZENS and OUR BORDER. These incidents are acts of terrorism to threaten our COUNTRY.
I guess “ powder in an envelope “ is the new “ we have a busted water pipe!!! Please evacuate the counting area…… I mean building “
Looks like it ended up in Fulton co Georgia as well.
Just go find Hunter and let him snort it all up. Considering his history, he can probably get high off it.
Nah he smokes crack. Donnie Jr is the coke head while Sr pops Adderall like candies.
Oh WOW! I wonder where that Fentanyl could’ve come from?!?!
Maybe(?) … the Mexican Cartels, Iranians, Russians, Chinese?
Maybe(?), the FEEB’s can allocate resources to the real threat?
At this point in history, it could also be from some SICK..SICK American who doesn’t approve of how the elections from Washington State some is progressing.
Or, just as likely from a dem operative that wanted to ensure the false ballots got into the mix.
Well, they already used the water main break excuse in a prior election.
It’s unfortunate for sure. But in person voting will stop the need for opening envelops.
Bob, these incidents were letters to the election office, not ballots!
That’s not true.
Why were letters to the election office anywhere near the area where ballots are counted?
Why is any paper not directly associated with ballot counting in that area?
Some addicts show Washington what they really think of their state’s leaders and their important election. It’s disrespectful and dishonoring to the local leaders. But! They had it coming, That’s the consequence being Pig-headed.
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