A woman in Newburgh, Maine, who ordered coffee, rice and paper plates from Amazon was shocked to find the box contained 250 unused state election ballots. The shopper, who wished to remain anonymous, told ABC News that the package appeared to have been opened and retaped before arrival, suggesting tampering after leaving the retailer's regional depot.
She passed the ballots to the Newburgh town clerk's office via law enforcement. An Amazon spokesperson said the company is cooperating with the investigation and initial findings indicate the package was tampered with outside its fulfilment and delivery network, not by an employee or partner.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows announced an investigation, stating: 'Safe and secure elections are my top priority. Law enforcement is working diligently to determine who is responsible, and they will be held accountable.' The incident comes just days before voters can begin voting by mail on a referendum about tightening restrictions on absentee voting.
State House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham called on US Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel to launch federal investigations. He said: 'When ballots appear in household shipments of rice and toys, trust is shattered.' Local election reform campaigner Alex Titcomb described it as a 'stunning breach of election security' that makes it 'impossible for Mainers to have confidence in the integrity of our elections.'
Campaign group Voter ID for ME posted on social media: 'HUNDREDS of ballots are now turning up in Amazon packages?? This isn't satire, fear mongering or political hyperbole. It's reality.' Maine has one of the highest voter participation rates in the US.
