FBI investigates suspicious packages sent to election officials in multiple states

This story was updated to add new information.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, are investigating suspicious packages that were delivered to election officials in several states, according to officials.

The letters received by officials contained "an unknown substance," Kristen Setera, spokeswoman for the FBI, told USA TODAY in an email.

"We are working closely with our law enforcement partners to respond to each incident and safely collect the letters," wrote Setera.

The FBI is also investigating to find out how many letters were sent, who sent them and what the motive was.

Everyone is being asked to handle mail with care, especially if it was sent by an unknown sender.

"If you see something suspicious, please contact law enforcement immediately," wrote Setera

The FBI could not comment further as it is an ongoing investigation.

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Packages sent to at least 15 states

Election officials in at least 15 states and several secretaries of state received suspicious packages between Monday and Tuesday, reported Axios and NBC News.

 On Monday, election offices in Iowa, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Wyoming also received suspicious packages, according to The Oklahoman, a part of the USA TODAY Network.

'Unknown substance'

Nebraska's election office received a package with white powder. The return address on the package was labeled as the “US Traitor Elimination Army.”

Among the other locations where packages were shipped were the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office. The packages were received around 30 minutes apart from each other, and one looked similar to a suspicious package received by an election office in another state.

"Several pieces of mail had an unknown substance on them,” said Rosie Nichols, a spokesperson for the Topeka, Kansas police, in a statement. But “a field test found no hazardous materials.”

Officials plan to do more testing.

Contributing: Anna Kaminski and Sherman Smith; Kansas Reflector