The storage unit was rented by a former township employee who stowed the box of ballots there, according to the FOIA records. Stanke said that the employee was not aware of the contents of the box.

Katie Hicks, who lost by 19 votes in her race for Thetford Township Clerk in 2020, said she cannot trust future elections.

"Now this is all coming out and ... I'm kind of happy that it's coming out because the election is right around the corner again. And it concerns me that this will take place again for 2024," Hicks said.