White powder in envelope causes evacuations at OK State Capitol Tuesday

By Joseph Mahan, FOX23 News

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the Oklahoma State Capitol Complex has been cleared as safe after the State Election Board Office received an envelope containing a white powdery substance on Tuesday.

Troopers with the OHP Capitol Patrol Division responded to a report of a suspicious envelope at the State Election Board Office Tuesday morning.

OHP said troopers quickly evacuated the area and coordinated with state and federal partners to safely address the situation. The substance was later determined to be non-hazardous.

The State Capitol Complex has been cleared safe and resumed normal operations Wednesday morning. OHP said it will continue working with state and federal partners regarding the incident.

Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax shared a statement on the situation:

“I am very appreciative of the quick action of state troopers, the Oklahoma City Fire Department, and the Oklahoma National Guard, and their professional response to the situation. Thankfully, no one from the State Election Board staff was harmed as a result of this incident. We want to assure Oklahoma voters that today’s incident does not impact our ability to conduct elections. Election officials remain committed to ensuring safe and secure elections.”