Suspicious package reported at California Secretary of State headquarters in Sacramento

Authorities are investigating after a suspicious package arrived at the California Secretary of State’s headquarters in downtown Sacramento, but its contents were determined to be “non-hazardous” and “non-lethal,” state officials said Thursday.

Secretary of State Shirley Weber in a news release said the package, which was not opened, was “promptly handed off to authorities.”

“Field testing and presumptive chemical test by state law enforcement revealed that the material contained within the package was non-hazardous and tested positive for unbleached flour,” Weber said in the news release. “While the substance is non-lethal, state and federal authorities will continue to investigate the incident.”

Weber’s office said the origin of the package remains under investigation but that the incident “seems to be part of a recent trend” involving suspicious mail being sent to election offices in at least 15 other states.

“We are advising local elections offices to take precautions before handling mail that arrives at their facilities,” Weber’s statement continued.

The Secretary of State’s Office is located at 11th and O streets in Sacramento. The news release did not specify when the package was received.

“We will continue to work with state and federal law enforcement authorities on responding to any threats to California elections officials or workers,” Weber said.