TROY — All but one of the Miami County absentee ballots at the center of an investigation of possible voter fraud were returned to the elections board unmarked.

That's what investigators found Monday, Jan. 5, when they opened the approximate 70 envelopes in question at the sheriff's office.

Among those watching the ballots as they were opened were a sheriff's detective, two FBI representatives and the county elections director and deputy director, Director Steve Quillen said. The one ballot with marks was only partially voted, he said.

The investigation was requested in late October by the elections board after elections staff reported complaints from several people about not receiving requested absentee ballots. During a review of ballots returned to the elections office, but set aside because they did not have a required signature on the envelope, elections staff found returned ballots from some who said they had not received a ballot.

Who obtained the mailed ballots and sent them back in, with required postage of 76 cents, remains a mystery.

"Somebody took the time and effort to send them back, and put postage on them," Quillen said.

The ballots were sent to addresses across the county, but primarily the West Milton and Tipp City areas, and included Republican and Democrat voters.

Sheriff's representatives were not available late Monday afternoon to discuss what will happen next with the investigation.

Voters who should have received the absentee ballots were allowed to vote a provisional ballot. They were asked to sign a statement swearing they did not receive a ballot, did not vote and did not send a ballot back to the elections office.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2292 nbowman@DaytonDailyNews.com.