SPOKANE COUNTY – The Spokane County Elections Office was forced to close after an employee discovered an unknown white powder inside an envelope.
This led to an evacuation and investigations into potential threats to election security. While the powder has tested negative for anthrax, the incident has raised concerns about the safety of election office personnel.
Shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Nov. 8, the elections office was evacuated following the discovery.
Spokane County Auditor Vicky Dalton commended the quick and decisive actions taken by management and staff, saying, “Our staff immediately secured the facility and evacuated the building. The Spokane Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team and the Spokane Police Department quickly responded, tested the substance, and an investigation is underway.”
The employee who came into contact with the substance was cleared and sent home, along with the rest of the staff, as a precaution. Despite the initial concerns, tests confirmed that the white powder does not contain anthrax.
However, out of caution, the office remained closed on Wednesday.
As a consequence, there was be a delay in providing updates on Tuesday’s General Election returns. The office reopened on Thursday morning.
Dalton has taken proactive steps by reaching out to the Washington Secretary of State’s Office to inform them of the incident, reinforcing the importance of open communication and cooperation between local and state election authorities.
In an attempt to gain more insight into the incident, we spoke with Elections Manager Mike McLaughlin, who redirected inquiries about the investigation to the Seattle FBI.
“Obviously it was a white powder, so that’s suspicious in itself,” McLaughlin said. “And they did what they were supposed to, and law enforcement was notified.”
The FBI’s Seattle division has been responding to multiple incidents involving suspicious letters sent to ballot counting centers across Washington state. While they have not disclosed further information on the ongoing investigation, they emphasized prioritizing public safety.
The FBI’s message serves as a reminder to exercise caution when handling mail, particularly from unrecognized senders. The public is urged to promptly report any suspicious activity to law enforcement to minimize potential risks.
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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