Maine Investigates Mishandled Absentee Ballots, Assures Voters of Secure Election
AUGUSTA, ME – Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows addressed concerns regarding the security of the state’s absentee voting process Monday, following an incident in Newburgh where a resident received a package containing 250 blank absentee ballots. The package appeared to have been opened and resealed.
The ballots have been secured and turned over to the Newburgh Town Office. Bellows confirmed the FBI is assisting in an investigation into how the ballots ended up at a private residence. State Republican legislative leaders have called for a full federal investigation.
“It’s very unsettling to have 250 ballots turn up in someone’s delivery,” stated Republican House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham. “Everybody in the state of Maine,across political parties,wants an answer to this.”
Bellows emphasized that maintaining secure and fair elections is her office’s top priority, and warned anyone involved in the mishandling of ballots would face consequences. “To any bad actors involved, you will be caught and you will be punished. You obviously didn’t understand the checks and balances in Maine elections if you thought you could stop absentee voting or shake our faith in fair and free elections,” she said.
Investigation details revealed a potential connection to a discrepancy in another town. Bellows stated that the city of Ellsworth reported receiving 250 fewer absentee ballots then expected on the same day the Newburgh resident received the unexpected delivery.
Bellows also noted a delay in official notification. The woman in Newburgh, and a conservative blogger, were alerted to the issue on Tuesday, but her office and law enforcement were not contacted until Wednesday morning. The blogger reached out to the Secretary of State’s Office at 1:31 a.m.Wednesday, followed by the Newburgh Town Office at 8 a.m.
Despite the incident,Bellows assured Mainers that all towns have now received the correct number of absentee ballots,with limited exceptions due to postal service limitations. “The checks and balances worked,” she stated. “Voting started today and we can be assured that it is free, safe, and secure.”
In-person absentee voting began Monday and will continue through Thursday, October 30th – five days before the general election.
