A Hermon man allegedly tried to vote twice in the November 2024 election.
A Penobscot County grand jury indicted Brian Rafford, 37, on four felony counts on Wednesday. He is charged with one felony count each of attempting to vote in the name of another and attempting to vote twice in the same election, and two felony counts of forging the name of another on an absentee ballot, return envelope or application for absentee ballot.
Rafford attempted to vote for his uncle, Dale Rafford, according to the indictment. Dale Rafford died Sept. 29, 2024, according to his obituary.
Brian Rafford voted on Oct. 29, 2024, in Hermon, according to the indictment. On Oct. 2, 2024, days after Dale Rafford’s death, his nephew requested an absentee ballot, forging the name of his uncle, the affidavit said.
Between that date and Nov. 1, 2024, Brian Rafford allegedly forged his uncle’s signature on the absentee ballot return envelope, the indictment said. Rafford tried to “knowingly” vote under the name of another person, according to the indictment.
Rafford has been registered to vote as a Republican in Hermon since 2014, according to his voter registration card and application.
Rafford could not be reached for comment.
The Maine Office of the Attorney General and Department of the Secretary of State investigated the alleged fraudulent voting attempt, according to court records.
“This case shows that anyone who tries to vote fraudulently will be caught and punished,” Secretary of State Shenna Bellows told the Bangor Daily News. “It also shows that the checks and balances in place to ensure safe and fair elections are working to catch any wrongdoers.”