Federal authorities intercepted a suspicious envelope targeting the Maryland State Board of Elections before it was delivered, as they investigate similar mailings sent to election officials and lawmakers across the country ahead of the November 3 general election.
Maryland State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis said the State Board of Elections was among the agencies targeted and that law enforcement intercepted the envelope before it arrived. DeMarinis said threats and harassment against election officials need to stop.
.@md_sbe was a targeted agency for a suspicious envelope. It was intercepted prior to delivery. TY to law enforcement for their diligence and efforts. This madness needs to stop.
— Jared DeMarinis (@JaredDeMarinis) October 15, 2026
According to Reuters, the FBI and US Postal Inspection Service are investigating suspicious mailings sent to election officials and lawmakers in several states. Some of the letters reportedly contained an unidentified powdery substance, while others were intercepted before delivery.
The National Association of Secretaries of State and National Association of State Election Directors issued a joint statement on October 14 condemning the incidents and stressing the need to protect election workers and maintain election operations.
The groups said election offices work closely with law enforcement and security partners and have contingency plans in place to respond to threats and emergencies. They also emphasized that election officials should not have to fear for their safety while carrying out their duties.
The latest incident comes as State and local election offices prepare for early voting and Election Day. Maryland’s local boards of elections handle voter registration, polling places, mail-in ballot canvassing, provisional ballots, and other core election functions in each jurisdiction.
Maryland has confronted similar threats before. In 2023, the State Board of Elections outlined safety procedures for State and local election offices after suspicious packages targeted election offices in other states.
MACo has also supported stronger protections for election officials. In 2024, MACo supported the Protecting Election Officials Act, which strengthened penalties for threats against election officials or members of their immediate families.
That effort built on earlier MACo advocacy supporting protections against intimidation, harassment, and the disclosure of personal information targeting election officials. MACo previously backed legislation to protect election officials from online threats and harassment.
With voting already underway or approaching in many states, the incidents add another security challenge for election officials preparing to administer the November 3 election.
Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.
