DOJ Reveals Video of Somalis Being Coached How to Vote in Swing State

The Department of Justice is reviewing surveillance footage from a municipal voting location in Maine following allegations that individuals affiliated with nonprofit organizations improperly assisted Somali voters during early voting. The footage, recorded at Lewiston City Hall, has raised questions about whether interpreters crossed legal boundaries by potentially influencing voters’ ballot selections.

According to an investigation published by The Maine Wire, approximately 140 hours of security footage captured interactions between interpreters and voters beginning October 13, 2026. The recordings reportedly show more than 200 voters of apparent Somali background receiving assistance from a relatively small group of individuals associated with community organizations. Some interactions have prompted allegations of improper election activity, although no wrongdoing has been established.

Poll: If Ilhan Omar committed immigration fraud, what should the penalty be?

No penalty Deportation

The footage was obtained through Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. According to the outlet, certain interpreters appeared to point toward ballot selections, handle voting materials and remain alongside individuals inside voting booths. Investigators must determine whether those interactions constituted lawful assistance or improper attempts to influence voters.

Maine law allows individuals who cannot read or complete a ballot because of a disability, illiteracy or religious beliefs to request assistance. However, anyone providing that assistance is prohibited from directing the voter’s choices or attempting to influence the outcome of their vote.

Additional procedures outlined by Lewiston City Clerk Kathy Montejo reportedly instruct assistants to wait until voters request help, avoid unnecessarily handling ballots and leave the voting area when their assistance is complete.

The Maine Wire identified several interactions that it characterized as potential violations of those procedures. City officials subsequently began distributing written guidance clarifying the responsibilities of individuals providing voting assistance.

Federal authorities have acknowledged the complaints. U.S. Attorney Andrew Benson confirmed that his office is examining evidence involving possible voter intimidation and election interference, including the Lewiston surveillance recordings.

The Department of Justice is investigating CCTV video from Lewiston City Hall that appears to show dozens of instances of NGO workers — operating as “interpreters” — coaching illiterate Somalis on how to vote and even filling out ballots for them.

The video is shocking. https://t.co/0rMlU2RVuM

— Steve Robinson (@SteveRob) October 30, 2026

Benson specifically referenced the review of “including the video from Lewiston’s early voting at City Hall,” according to the original reporting. He also expressed a willingness to coordinate with Maine’s attorney general and secretary of state.

At least three complaints concerning activities at the voting location have reportedly been submitted to Lewiston police. The allegations involve interpreter conduct and a separate demonstration associated with the Maine People’s Alliance.

The demonstration reportedly included political signs displayed inside City Hall. Maine election law generally prohibits campaign-related materials and electioneering on public property within 250 feet of a polling location’s entrance.

Democratic state Rep. Scott Harriman was reportedly among those present during the early voting period. His presence was mentioned in the reporting, although that alone does not establish any violation of election law.

In another incident, a polling-place warden reportedly removed an interpreter from the voting area after the individual approached a voter who had not requested assistance.

Republican candidates Janet Beaudoin and Bret Martel also raised concerns about the activities they observed, including questions surrounding interpreter behavior and political signage.

Meanwhile, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows has received separate complaints involving the filming and photographing of voters. Her office is reportedly examining whether those activities complied with election regulations.

Somali voter has a friendly chat with the election warden in English, then calls over a "translator" who clearly violates procedure by handling the ballot.

Oh, and this "translator" is the former finance minister of Jubaland, Somalia: https://t.co/SPAp6wHIlM

— The Maine Wire (@TheMaineWire) October 30, 2026

The controversy has also drawn attention to Lewiston’s Somali-American community. The Maine Wire estimated that approximately 1,300 registered voters in Lewiston and 4,000 statewide have Somali backgrounds, although those figures were based on name-matching methods rather than official demographic records.

Federal naturalization rules permit certain immigrants to qualify for exemptions from English-language testing based on age, residency or medical circumstances. Consequently, some eligible American citizens may require language assistance when casting their ballots.

The allegations come as federal authorities increase election oversight ahead of the November midterms. Federal election monitors are also expected to observe polling locations in Lewiston and Portland as part of broader efforts to ensure compliance with voting laws.

For now, the central question remains whether the individuals captured on surveillance video were legitimately helping voters understand their ballots or attempting to influence their decisions. The federal review has not established that illegal voting or ballot manipulation occurred, and the outcome will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators.