Indiana Secretary of State employees last week reported getting a “suspicious” envelope containing a “powdery substance” — joining election officials in numerous states.
Local, state and federal authorities responded to the State Government Center to secure the immediate area, conduct tests and remove the contaminated mail, according to a news release.
Responding agencies included the Indiana Capital Police, Indiana State Police, State Fire Marshall, Indiana Department of Homeland Security, State and Post Office hazardous materials units, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations.
They determined — preliminarily — that the contents in the envelope were non-hazardous, per the release.
“We take every precaution to ensure the safety of our employees and the public. I want to especially thank members of my team; our law enforcement partners and other first responders for their swift and professional response,” Secretary of State Diego Morales said. “We are relieved that everyone is safe.”
Powdery packages were also delivered to election-related offices in at least a dozen states, The Associated Press reported: Connecticut, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Wyoming.
Morales’ office said he had made county clerks aware of the situation.
Spokeswoman Lindsey Eaton also noted that, earlier this year, Morales hand-delivered and mailed instructions on spotting and handling suspicious email — plus, doses of Narcan nasal spray — to county clerks’ offices throughout the state.
She also highlighted recent regional election security and safety conferences for county election administrators, emergency management offices and local law enforcement agencies.
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