Fentanyl-laced letter sent to Fulton County elections office, officials say
Raffensberger calls laced-letter an act of 'terrorism'
Georgia election officials are once again in the national spotlight. The Georgia Secretary of State has sent out an alert to all counties that someone had mailed a fentanyl laced envelope to a Fulton County elections worker. Secretary Brad Raffensberger calls the act domestic terrorism and he vows that state and postal officials will track down the sender.
FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is responding to recent threats against election officials in Georgia.
According to Raffensperger, a letter laced with fentanyl was sent to a Fulton County election official similar to letters that were sent to local election offices in other states.
The letter was intercepted by the post office.
"Our number one priority is secure elections and protecting the men and women who secure our elections," Raffensperger said in a press release.
"We’re working with our state and federal partners to determine if any additional Georgia officials are being targeted. Domestic terrorists will not trample on our right to free and fair elections. Election officials should be free from fear and intimidation, which is why I’ve called on the General Assembly to increase penalties for election interference. We will work tirelessly to ensure that Georgia elections remain free, fair, and secure."
According to the Associated Press, there is no immediate indication that any other election office in Georgia was a target for the letters. The AP was able to obtain an advisory that was sent by the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
"Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts noted in a statement to FOX 5. "This incident underscores the issue of election worker safety and the need for stronger election safety. Our recently-opened Elections Hub will allow us to improve security operations as we go into the 2024 elections."
According to Raffensperger, Georgia continues to set records for voter turnout and election participation, seeing the largest increase in average turnout of any other state in the 2018 midterm election and record turnout in 2020 and 2022.
2022 achieved the largest single day of in-person early voting turnout in Georgia midterm history utilizing Georgia’s secure, paper ballot voting system, according to Raffensperger.