Federal Investigation Demanded After 250 Maine Ballots Discovered Inside Amazon Package

Maine Republicans are calling for a federal investigation after a shocking discovery this week — a woman in Newburgh opened her Amazon delivery to find 250 official state ballots tucked inside the box alongside her purchased items.

The incident comes just one month before Maine’s November 4 election, in which voters will decide on a crucial ballot initiative to require voter ID at polling places — a measure Democrats have fiercely opposed.

According to The Maine Wire, Democrat Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said she launched an internal investigation immediately after learning of the mishap.

“We will not stop until we have answers,” Bellows told WABI-TV in Bangor.

But Republicans are demanding Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel take over the probe, citing Bellows’ history of partisanship and defiance toward federal election oversight.

“[Bellows] has consistently shown she is willing to put partisanship over the safety and security of Maine elections,” GOP lawmakers wrote in a letter addressed to Bondi and Patel.
“She has used her office to refuse compliance with the Department of Justice, even going as far as telling President Trump to ‘go jump in the Gulf of Maine’ in response to routine requests for voter registration data requested under the National Voter Registration Act.”

The letter was signed by Sen. Trey Stewart, Sen. Matthew Harrington, Rep. Billy-Bob Faulkingham, and Rep. Katrina Smith — four of Maine’s leading Republican legislators.

Ballots Found in an Amazon Box

The bizarre situation began Tuesday when the Newburgh woman noticed that her Amazon package was unusually taped, as if tampered with. Upon opening it, she discovered the official State of Maine referendum ballots.

“When I opened it, there were 250 official State of Maine referendum ballots inside my box. Thank goodness I am an honest citizen and immediately reached out to my town clerk and took the ballots to the town for safekeeping,” she said.

Amazon confirmed it was investigating the incident and pledged full cooperation with authorities.

Rep. Billy-Bob Faulkingham, who signed the letter demanding federal intervention, said the situation was “beyond alarming.”

“At a time when Maine people are being asked to weigh in on whether to adopt the same commonsense Voter ID standards used in 36 other states, this shocking breach exposes how vulnerable our elections really are,” Faulkingham said in a statement to WABI-TV.
“When ballots appear in household shipments of rice and toys, trust is shattered. Mainers deserve answers, accountability, and immediate action.”

Stakes High Ahead of Question 1 Vote

On November 4, Maine voters will decide on Question 1, a referendum that would require voter identification at the polls. Republicans argue it’s a necessary safeguard for election integrity, while Democrats warn it could suppress votes.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Charlie Dingman previously admitted the measure could seriously hurt his party’s prospects, saying in a May text to voters that it could lead to “a loss of 13,000 Democratic votes” in future elections, according to The Maine Wire.

As calls for federal involvement intensify, the incident has reignited nationwide debate over election security — and the growing public demand for transparency and accountability before November.