The suspicious envelopes were received in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties
Randy Bracht
The Center Square Washington
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 election 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.
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Vancouver Police investigate person possibly hit by vehicle during ICE arrest
Vancouver Police are investigating after a video showed a person’s foot may have been struck by an ICE agent’s vehicle during an arrest in the city - Update provided on investigation of 1970s cold cases linked to serial killer Warren ForrestClark County Sheriff’s Office investigators located and interviewed a man linked to a 1971 sighting in the Jamie Grissim case and are planning a new Dole Valley search using human remains detection dogs.
- Community to celebrate the life of Washougal leader Molly CostonWashougal will honor beloved community leader Molly Coston with a Jan. 24, 2026, Celebration of Life and a new city committee exploring lasting recognition of her contributions.
- CDC vaccine committee overturns decades-old hepatitis B recommendation for newborns
A CDC advisory committee voted to end the long-standing recommendation that all newborns receive a hepatitis B vaccine at birth, shifting most decisions to individual-based choice. - Opinion: Despite historic tax hikes – Washington state faces $4.3 billion deficitRyan Frost argues that Washington’s projected multibillion-dollar deficits stem from rapid spending growth, not a lack of revenue, after years of historic tax hikes.
- Reserve a table at the Battle Ground Public Schools Industry FairBattle Ground Public Schools invites businesses and organizations to reserve a free table at the 11th annual Industry Fair on Feb. 19, 2026, to connect with students and job seekers.
- Life outdoors: Bundle up for winter adventuresWDFW highlights winter opportunities across Washington, from hunting and fishing to wildlife viewing and hikes, encouraging people to bundle up and enjoy the outdoors.
