Former USPS Worker Indicted for Allegedly Dumping Over 300 Mail-in Ballots in Utah

A former U.S. Postal Service worker has been indicted on federal charges for allegedly discarding over 300 mail-in ballots and other mail in Utah. Damon Matai Seei, 34, of Payson, Utah, was charged by a federal grand jury on September 16 with unlawful secretion, destruction, and delay of mail.

Prosecutors allege that on June 3, Seei, working as a letter carrier, separated more than 300 mail-in ballots and advertisements from other mail shortly after starting his shift. He is accused of discarding the mail, including the ballots clearly marked as such, within approximately 90 minutes, without delivering any of it to residents in Eagle Mountain, Utah, ahead of the state's June 23 primary election. Other mail was also allegedly discarded.

Following the incident, several voters reported not receiving their mail-in ballots to the Utah County Clerk. Acting Deputy Attorney General Trent McCotter stated, "When American voters lawfully cast their vote, they should feel confident that it is counted. Allegedly throwing away hundreds of ballots is a serious federal crime that undermines the integrity of our elections. Ballot integrity is not a partisan issue."

U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah noted that county databases showed unusually low voter participation in the area where the complaints originated. The impact on affected voters, including whether they received replacement ballots or were able to cast their votes, is still under investigation. Federal officials plan to contact affected voters to ascertain their voting status.

Seei has reportedly told investigators that he did not have a political motive. The case was investigated jointly by the USPS Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations.

Seei was arrested on Tuesday and made his initial appearance in federal court in Salt Lake City. His next court appearance is scheduled for November 30.