Suspicious letters targeting Pierce, King elections share striking similarities

Two suspicious letters recently sent to local elections offices in Washington state contain striking similarities, including political symbols and threats.

The text of the letters sent to Pierce County Elections on Nov. 8, and to King County Elections during the primary election on July 31, both call for an end to elections. They also include threats and political symbols. Officials say the Nov. 8 letter sent to King County was also similar.

Officials say both the recent Pierce County letter and the July letter to King County also bore postmarks from Portland, Oregon.

Letters containing white powder prompted evacuations and disruptions to ballot counting on Wednesday in King, Pierce, Spokane, and Skagit counties. Steve Bernd with the FBI’s Seattle office confirmed that the agency is investigating these incidents. Similar mailings were also reported Thursday in multiple other states including Georgia and Oregon.