Former Utah Postal Worker Arrested After Hundreds of Primary Ballots Were Allegedly Discarded

Federal prosecutors arrested former Utah postal worker Damon Matai Seei after alleging he discarded hundreds of mail-in ballots intended for voters during the state’s June 2026 primary election.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, a federal grand jury indicted Seei on September 16 on one count involving the unlawful secretion, destruction, and delay of mail.

Prosecutors allege the incident occurred June 3, when Seei was working as a letter carrier and was responsible for delivering mail to residents in Eagle Mountain, Utah.

The mail reportedly included hundreds of ballots prepared for the June 23 primary, along with advertisements and other ordinary correspondence scheduled for delivery to residents.

Federal prosecutors say Seei placed some of the mail in a dumpster at a church parking lot rather than delivering it to the intended recipients.

The Justice Department said approximately 300 mail-in ballots were among the discarded materials, while the indictment alleges destruction or delay of mail entrusted to him.

 

 

Seei, 34, is from Payson, Utah, and was arrested September 22 before appearing in federal court in Salt Lake City for his initial proceeding.

He pleaded not guilty to the federal charge, according to the Associated Press, and the case remains pending rather than representing a completed criminal conviction.

The federal statute cited in the indictment, 18 U.S.C. Section 1703(a), addresses unlawful secretion, destruction, or delay of mail entrusted to a postal employee.

If convicted, Seei could face a maximum federal prison sentence of five years, according to the Associated Press, although the eventual outcome will depend on court proceedings.

Investigators have not publicly established a partisan motive for the alleged conduct, an important distinction from claims that the incident represented an intentional effort to influence an election.

Utah U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak said Seei indicated to authorities that he had no political agenda and did not intend to discard the ballots.

According to prosecutors, Seei told investigators he felt overwhelmed by the amount of mail and wanted to reduce his workload, including by throwing away advertisements.

Prosecutors nevertheless allege that the ballots were clearly identifiable, and they argue Seei knew ballots were included among the mail he discarded.

The government’s detention filing says Seei was entrusted with mail for at least 300 Eagle Mountain residents, including ballots connected to the upcoming primary election.

 

 

The ballots were sent before Utah’s June 23 primary, meaning the alleged disposal occurred weeks before voters were scheduled to participate in that election.

The case has attracted attention because Utah relies heavily on mail voting, making the handling and delivery of mailed ballots an important part of election administration.

However, the available charging documents do not establish that the discarded ballots changed the outcome of any election, and prosecutors have not alleged such an outcome.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General and Homeland Security Investigations, according to federal prosecutors.

Seei’s next scheduled court appearance is November 30, 2026, while prosecutors continue the case and the defendant remains entitled to the presumption of innocence.

 

 

Key facts

• Defendant: Damon Matai Seei, 34, of Payson, Utah.
• Allegation: Prosecutors say he discarded mail that included approximately 300 primary-election ballots.
• Date of alleged incident: June 3, 2026.
• Primary election: June 23, 2026.
• Charge: Unlawful secretion, destruction, and delay of mail under 18 U.S.C. §1703(a).
• Plea: Seei pleaded not guilty.
• Political motive: Authorities have not established one; prosecutors say Seei told investigators he had no political agenda.
• Next hearing: November 30, 2026.
• Legal status: The indictment contains allegations, and Seei is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Sources & References

• U.S. Department of Justice — Utah postal worker indictment
• DOJ — Seei indictment
• Associated Press — Utah postal worker ballot case
• DOJ — Detention filing