VANCOUVER, Wash. — Workers from elections offices across Washington state were evacuated from their buildings on Wednesday. It happened after elections employees found suspicious letters in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties the morning after Election Day.
In Renton and Spokane, investigators said white powder found in an envelope contained trace amounts of fentanyl. No one was injured.
"We saw the white powder as it was opened,” said Halei Watkins with King County Elections. “It's immediately isolated by our staff in a hazmat bucket and then we pull the fire alarm and call 911."
Police are investigating a similar incident in Tacoma. Officers said a worker found white powder in an envelope with a note that read, "End the election now." Investigators determined that envelope contained baking soda. In all cases, officials said ballots remained secure while employees were evacuated.
“It's disheartening,” said Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey.
Kimsey said his office had not received any threats or suspicious envelopes. However, after learning what happened in other parts of the state, Clark County election workers were encouraged to wear protective masks and gloves and use extra precaution while dealing with ballots.
“When some citizen out there is making these threatening actions, it cuts at the heart of what we do,” Kimsey said.
In Eugene, Oregon, Lane County Elections officials also closed their office on Wednesday after police said a suspect and possibly a threatening letter showed up to the building.
For Kimsey, it’s all part of the reason why he said the Clark County Elections Office plans to increase security in their building ahead of the 2024 Presidential Election.
“There are people out there who want to harm the process,” Kimsey said.