U.S.
Delaware election staff safe after suspicious powder prompts evacuation
Officials reported a Thursday evacuation and testing after an envelope was opened in the state election office.
By NewsCubby Editorial Desk · Published
Employees were safe after an envelope containing white powder was opened Thursday at Delaware’s State Election Commissioner’s Office, the Department of Elections said in an October 15 release.
Staff isolated the envelope, underwent decontamination and evacuated. The heating and ventilation system was shut down. State and federal partners responded to investigate and test the substance. Nonessential election-office employees statewide were sent home as a precaution.
The statement did not identify the powder or name a suspect. Its account describes Thursday’s response; it does not establish a Friday closure, a confirmed toxic substance or a connection to other incidents. Readers should use current official election-office notices for service availability.
Photograph: Fluffy89502. Illustrative archival USPS collection box in Venice, Los Angeles, July 29, 2018. This is not the Delaware office, the suspicious envelope or the incident scene. Photo and adapted branded graphic: CC BY-SA4.0. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and placed in a matching branded composition; no scene alteration.