Threats against election workers are not abstract — they arrive in envelopes, disrupt workplaces, and force the people who run our elections to weigh their safety against their duty to voters. On Thursday, that reality landed at the heart of Arizona state government.
Arizona’s Executive Tower in Phoenix — home to both the Governor’s Office and the Secretary of State’s Office — was evacuated Thursday afternoon after staff in Secretary of State Adrian Fontes’ office opened an envelope containing white powder. The incident triggered an immediate response from law enforcement and hazardous materials teams, who worked to contain the threat, isolate exposed individuals, and secure the building.
Fontes confirmed in a statement that his staff acted quickly after discovering the envelope — calling in hazmat experts, shutting off access to the affected floor, and following law enforcement guidance throughout. Christian Slater, a spokesman for Gov. Katie Hobbs, confirmed that the entire Executive Tower was evacuated as a precaution. Hobbs was not in the building at the time, and no injuries were reported.
“This is a sobering moment that highlights the reality of election administration in this country today,” Fontes said in a statement. “I am thankful for my staff that acted quickly and are taking the lead from law-enforcement and hazmat experts on a response to ensure the safety of my entire staff and our customers.”
The FBI is now investigating the incident, according to Slater, who added that the Governor’s Office is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with law enforcement.
“The governor and her team thank the brave first responders who responded swiftly to the incident,” Slater said.
Part of a Nationwide Pattern Targeting Election Officials
Arizona is not an isolated case. According to Votebeat, more than 100 individuals and organizations across the country received similar envelopes filled with unknown white powder in a coordinated campaign of intimidation. Among those targeted were U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla of California and U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, both Democrats.
The breadth of the campaign raises serious questions about who is running our elections — and whether election administrators, already stretched thin during a high-stakes election season, can continue their work free from fear. These are the officials responsible for making sure every eligible voter’s ballot is counted accurately and on time.
Fontes made clear that his office intends to press forward, regardless of the threats.
“We will not be scared out of doing our jobs on behalf of the voters of Arizona. As the election closes in, we know that threats will continue and we are on high alert to protect everyone on our team that is working overtime to serve Arizona,” Fontes said.
More Election News From Arizona
Thursday’s evacuation came on a busy day for election news across the state. The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office asked the FBI to investigate a viral claim pushed by an Arizona group with a history of promoting election conspiracy theories — and investigators found no evidence of wrongdoing. Separately, Camryn Sanchez reported that President Trump held a rally in Mohave County to build midterm enthusiasm but notably did not mention either GOP nominee running in Arizona’s competitive congressional districts. Mark Brodie and Sanchez also covered who showed up to Trump’s Bullhead City rally — and who stayed home.
On the voter access front, Emma Bradford reported that Maricopa County early voters who haven’t received their ballots by the end of the week should request new ones. Officials said approximately 1.9 million early ballots were delivered to the U.S. Postal Service on Oct. 7. Voters can also consult the Arizona Voter Guide for comprehensive information on how to participate in this election cycle.
