Two women in Colorado are at the center of a serious accusation involving ballot tampering just as the 2024 elections loom.
At a Glance
- Vicki Lyn Stuart and Sally Jane Maxedon arrested for alleged ballot tampering in Colorado.
- They face charges of identity theft, forgery, and attempting to influence a public servant.
- The investigation began due to inconsistencies in ballot signatures reported by residents.
- Colorado employs mail voting with signature verification as a security measure.
The Investigation Unfolds
In Colorado, a USPS mail carrier Vicki Lyn Stuart and her associate Sally Jane Maxedon face charges of forging stolen mail ballots, attempting to sway public servants, and identity theft. Residents reported issues with their ballot signatures, despite not having received or submitted ballots themselves.
The investigation initiated by the 21st District Attorney’s Office found signs of an inside job, with no apparent forced entry into mailbox clusters. Due to the nature of the scheme, authorities suspected insider access.
Colorado postal carrier and a friend accused of forging stolen mail ballots to test voting secu – https://t.co/A8M5rCkh38
— Private Officer (@privateofficer) November 11, 2024
Detailed Charges and Allegations
Stuart allegedly flouted USPS protocol by marking ballots as “return to sender” if voter names did not match mailboxes. This inside information supposedly facilitated Maxedon’s forgery activities. In a statement, the office of 21st District Attorney Dan Rubinstein confirmed starting the probe on October 21 after residents noticed ballot signature discrepancies.
Maxedon reportedly confessed the action as a “test” of election security, raising alarms for local and state officials. To date, 16 victims have been identified, with additional investigations underway.
Impacts and Measures
This incident, part of Colorado’s mail voting system, emphasizes the effectiveness of current security protocols that detected the fraud. Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold commented on the investigation, launched following signature discrepancies noted by automated systems.
While some ballots were fraudulently cast and counted, officials assert that such vigilance ensures overall integrity. Colorado remains committed to addressing any electoral vulnerabilities swiftly.
