Suspicious Ballot Envelope Stops Benton County Vote Count

Authorities find no explosives, just trash and unrelated documents inside the envelope.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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On election day, the Benton County Election Center in Kennewick, Washington received a ballot envelope that was unusually heavy and oddly shaped. Out of caution, the election center was closed, and the Richland Police Department Bomb Squad was called in to investigate. An independent forensic lab later found that the sealed ballot envelope was stuffed with household trash and small documents, and no explosive materials were present.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the importance of election security and the measures taken by officials to ensure the safety of election workers and the integrity of the voting process. It also underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring any potential threats to the electoral system.

The details

The suspicious ballot envelope was part of a batch of ballots picked up by workers that morning from their Richland Post Office box. The election staff immediately closed the center and followed their safety protocol, notifying security personnel at the county and at the Washington Secretary of State's Office. The Benton County detectives, including major crimes detectives, and the Richland Police Department Bomb Squad responded to the election center. The sealed ballot was sent to an independent forensic lab, which found it stuffed with household trash and small documents.

  • On February 10, 2026, the Benton County Election Center in Kennewick, Washington received the suspicious ballot envelope around 11 a.m.
  • The election center was closed down for about a half day on February 10, 2026.
  • The election is scheduled to be certified on February 20, 2026.

The players

Benton County Election Center

The election center in Kennewick, Washington where the suspicious ballot envelope was received.

Richland Police Department Bomb Squad

The bomb squad that responded to the election center to investigate the suspicious ballot envelope.

Benton County Auditor Brenda Chilton

The Benton County Auditor who spoke to the Tri-City Herald about the incident and the importance of balancing safety and security with timely and accurate election results.

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What they’re saying

“We always have the safety and security of our team at the forefront, and try to balance that with making sure we get the ballots processed timely and the results processed timely and accurately.”

— Brenda Chilton, Benton County Auditor (Tri-City Herald)

What’s next

The sheriff's office is still determining whether any laws were broken in relation to the suspicious ballot envelope.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of election security and the measures taken by officials to ensure the safety of election workers and the integrity of the voting process. It also underscores the need for vigilance in monitoring any potential threats to the electoral system.