A Hermon man accused of trying to vote twice pleaded not guilty to the charges Thursday morning in Penobscot County Superior Court in Bangor.
Brian Rafford, 38, pleaded not guilty to 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 in the name of his uncle, Dale Rafford, during the 2024 election, according to the grand jury indictment from November. Dale Rafford died Sept. 29, 2024, according to his obituary.
Brian Rafford voted on Oct. 29, 2024, in Hermon. On Oct. 2, 2024, days after Dale Rafford’s death, his nephew requested an absentee ballot, forging the name of his uncle, court records said.
He then allegedly forged his uncle’s signature on an absentee ballot return envelope, the indictment said.
Brian Rafford has been registered to vote as a Republican in Hermon since 2014, according to his voter registration card and application.
Rafford was granted a personal recognizance bail during his Thursday arraignment and is due back in court on June 2.