SEATTLE - The FBI has launched an investigation into the series of suspicious letters that were sent to elections offices in five Washington counties this week. Some of the envelopes contained the powerful opioid, fentanyl, causing concerns about the safety and integrity of the election process.

Law enforcement authorities are working diligently to intercept any additional letters before delivery, according to a statement released by the FBI. The Pierce County Auditor's Office shared images of the letter it received, revealing that it was postmarked in Portland, Oregon. The message, which read "End elections now," raised alarm among authorities.

Julie Wise, the King County Elections Director, confirmed that a similar letter had been received by their office as well. She also mentioned that a similar incident had occurred during the August primary, where a letter containing fentanyl was received. The pattern suggests a deliberate and targeted effort to disrupt the electoral process.

As a result of these incidents, four county election offices across Washington had to be evacuated while election workers were processing ballots cast in Tuesday's election. This delay in vote counting creates additional challenges in ensuring accurate and timely results.

Local law enforcement officials confirmed that the substances in the envelopes sent to King and Spokane counties tested positive for fentanyl. However, in one instance, the substance turned out to be baking soda. The Snohomish County Elections Office also reported receiving a piece of mail matching the description of the suspicious mail sent to the other four counties.

Garth Fell, the Snohomish County Auditor, immediately isolated the mail without opening it and promptly notified local, state, and federal authorities. The envelope contained a warning about the vulnerability of "ballot drops" and asserted that "there is no more need" for elections.

It is worth mentioning that similar incidents occurred during the primary elections in August, where suspicious envelopes were sent to King and Okanogan counties. The letter received by King County was found to have traces of fentanyl, and investigations by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the FBI are still ongoing.

Washington Secretary of State, Steve Hobbs, strongly condemned these actions, labeling them as "acts of terrorism to threaten our elections." The safety of the election process remains a top priority for authorities as they continue to investigate the origin and motives behind these suspicious letters.

As the investigation unfolds, election officials and law enforcement agencies are heightening their efforts to ensure the security of the electoral process, protect election workers, and maintain public trust in Washington's democratic system.

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