Overview

• Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said she opened an investigation through her office’s law enforcement division after learning of ballots reportedly received outside the chain of custody.
• A Newburgh woman says an Amazon box containing her household items also held five sealed bundles of 50 blank 2025 state ballots, which she turned over to the town office.
• Photographs show a box that appeared opened and re-taped, and officials who reviewed images said the documents appear to be authentic, though their origin has not been verified.
• Maine Republican leaders called the incident “beyond alarming” and asked for criminal and federal probes, sending requests to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel.
• Authorities have not identified how the ballots entered the shipment or established a chain of custody, and reports said it was not clear which agency is leading the inquiry.