UPDATE: Mail with ‘Suspicious Substance’ Sent to Sen. Blunt Rochester, DE Dept. of Elections

UPDATE: The Office of U.S. Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) says they received mail with a suspicious substance just hours after the State Election Commissioner’s Office of the Delaware Department of Elections made a similar announcement. 

The announcement was brief, stating in full, “Senator Blunt Rochester’s office was sent a letter with a suspicious substance. The letter was intercepted by Capitol Police and taken for investigation. Thanks to existing safety protocols and the swift action taken by the officers, neither the Senator nor her staff are in any immediate danger.”

It is currently unclear which of Senator Blunt Rochester’s offices received the suspicious mail.

DOVER, Del. – Authorities are investigating after suspicions mail was sent to the State Election Commissioner’s Office of the Delaware Department of Elections (DOE) in Dover. 

On Thursday, Oct. 15, around 2:00 p.m., authorities say an employee in the State Election Commissioner’s Office received and opened an envelope, which was discovered to contain a white powdery substance. Details about the substance have not been revealed at this time. 

Staff members reportedly followed security and United States Postal Service instructions on handling suspicious mail. The envelope was isolated, staff members were decontaminated and evacuated, and the HVAC system was shut down. Additionally, state and federal law enforcement, amongst other partners, arrived at the office to conduct an investigation into the incident and test the substance. 

All election offices statewide have sent their non-essential state employees home in an abundance of caution.

The Delaware DOE says additional information will be provided to the public as soon as it is available.

This article was originally posted on Oct. 15 at 4:57 p.m.