Maine authorities are investigating a bizarre and alarming incident involving hundreds of missing absentee ballots that reportedly turned up in an Amazon delivery.
A woman in Ellsworth, Maine, claimed she received a package last week containing the unmarked ballots—on the same day the town reported a large batch missing. State officials immediately launched an investigation, with both the FBI and Maine’s Secretary of State’s office involved.
“This year, it seems that there may have been attempts to interrupt the distribution of ballots and ballot materials,” said Secretary of State Shenna Bellows. “I have full confidence that law enforcement will determine who is responsible, and any bad actor will be held accountable.”
The ballots were intended for Maine’s Nov. 4 election, which includes a Republican-backed initiative to require voter ID and reduce the use of ballot drop boxes.
State Rep. Laurel Libby, R-Auburn, urged voters to respond at the polls. “Mainers need to turn out in force,” she said. “Every single person that supports voter ID and securing our elections needs to vote to ensure that we secure our elections.”
Maine Republicans have formally requested that the FBI and U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi take over the investigation.
Amazon, for its part, denied any involvement in the apparent ballot mix-up. “Based on our initial findings, it appears that this package was tampered with outside of our fulfillment and delivery network,” the company said, noting that it is cooperating with investigators.
Authorities have not yet revealed how the ballots ended up in the package or whether any suspects have been identified.