Delaware Elections Office Evacuated Over Powder in Letter

State of DE - On October 15, 2026 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Delaware Department of Elections (DOE) received and opened a letter at its office. Inside, staff found a white powdery substance.

Workers followed the department's security steps and U.S. Postal Service guidelines for handling suspicious mail. The letter was set apart in a separate area, and the building's heating and cooling system was turned off.

Staff members were decontaminated and then evacuated from the office. Law enforcement, along with state and federal partners, arrived at the scene.

Those agencies are now investigating the letter and testing the substance. Officials have not said what the powder is at this time.

Election offices across Delaware also sent their non-essential state employees home. The DOE said this was done out of caution.