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Fulton County Asks Judge to Order Return of 2020 Ballots Seized by FBI

The sealed Rule 41(g) filing seeks the return of original 2020 ballots with an accompanying request to unseal the search affidavit.

Overview

  • County officials filed the motion Wednesday in the Northern District of Georgia, also asking the court to block federal use of the materials and to expedite the case.
  • Federal agents executed a Jan. 28 search at the county’s Union City elections hub, removing approximately 656 boxes that included physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images, and voter rolls.
  • Fulton leaders say agents took originals rather than copying records and provided no chain‑of‑custody inventory, leaving the county without copies or a precise list of what was seized.
  • The FBI has described the search as court‑authorized, while the warrant affidavit and the target of the investigation remain under seal with no public disclosure of potential charges.
  • The seizure has drawn criticism from Democratic officials concerned about election trust, and DNI Tulsi Gabbard’s brief involvement has prompted congressional requests for explanations.