FBI investigates dozens of suspicious letters sent to election offices and congressional offices

Federal investigators are tracking down dozens of letters containing a suspicious white powder that were mailed to election officials and congressional offices across the country less than three weeks before Election Day.

Early tests show no danger

Law enforcement officials told reporters that preliminary tests found the powder was not hazardous. More testing is under way at labs around the country to be sure. The FBI said in a statement that some of the letters held an unknown substance and that agents are working to identify whoever sent them.

Where the letters went

Election offices in at least 15 states said they received suspicious packages. The states named include Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin. Postal inspectors intercepted a package headed for Ohio before it arrived.

Several Senate offices were also targeted. Aides to Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said a letter addressed to him was intercepted. Offices for Sen. Alex Padilla and Sen. Chris Murphy also said they were flagged. Murphy's spokesperson said he and his staff were not in immediate danger.

Who is investigating

The FBI and the Capitol Police and the Postal Inspection Service are working together. A notice sent to Senate staff said officials are trying to stop more letters before they are delivered but that some may still reach their destinations. It told staff to treat any suspicious letter or package as potentially hazardous.

What happens next

A former FBI agent said even a hoax can be a federal crime. Mailing a threat or a substance believed to be hazardous can bring years in prison. Election Day is Nov. 3 and early voting has already begun in many states. Election workers have faced similar mailings before and officials urged anyone who gets a suspicious envelope to leave it alone and call authorities.