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Fulton County to Challenge FBI’s Seizure of 2020 Election Records
Fulton County officials are preparing legal action against the Federal Bureau of Investigation following a January search of an election facility where agents seized records related to the 2020 presidential election.
Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington Jr. announced Monday that the county will file a motion in the Northern District of Georgia challenging the search warrant’s legality and demanding the return of seized ballots and voter information.
“I’ve asked the county attorney to take any and all steps available to fight this criminal search warrant,” Arrington said in a statement. “The search warrant, I believe, is not proper, but I think that there are ways that we can limit it.”
The county’s legal team plans to request forensic accounting of the materials and to ensure all documents remain sealed within Georgia. A key concern, according to Arrington, is that the FBI failed to maintain proper chain-of-custody documentation during the seizure.
“They got copies of our voter rolls and all the original ballots,” Arrington told local media. “Now we cannot verify that we’ve received everything back because there was no chain-of-custody inventory taken at the time the records were seized.”
The FBI executed its warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City on January 28. The facility, which opened in 2023 to streamline election processes, houses various election materials. According to the warrant reviewed by media outlets, agents were authorized to seize records, voting rolls, and data connected to the 2020 presidential election.
This FBI action represents the latest development in ongoing disputes over Fulton County’s handling of the 2020 election. As Georgia’s most populous county and home to Atlanta, Fulton was at the center of voter fraud allegations following Joe Biden’s victory over Donald Trump in the state. Those claims were subsequently dismissed in court proceedings.
The Department of Justice had previously sued Fulton County in December 2025 seeking access to 2020 election ballots, but county officials contested the lawsuit, arguing the DOJ failed to present a valid legal basis for accessing the materials.
The situation is further complicated by the county’s recent history with election-related legal matters. In 2023, a Fulton County grand jury indicted former President Trump and several associates on racketeering charges related to alleged attempts to overturn the 2020 election results. However, that case never reached trial after District Attorney Fani Willis was disqualified from prosecuting it. The Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council later moved to dismiss the indictment entirely.
Former President Trump confirmed last week that his administration’s Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, was present during the FBI’s search of the facility, reportedly for matters related to election security.
FBI Director Kash Patel has defended the bureau’s actions, stating that investigators conducted an “extensive” investigation before executing the search warrant.
“The FBI follows the facts and the law, and President Trump and the attorney general have given us a clear mandate to reduce crime in this country and investigate anything that rises to the level of probable cause,” Patel said during a recent television appearance.
He added that agents collected evidence authorized by a judge and are currently reviewing a “voluminous” amount of information as the investigation continues.
The standoff highlights ongoing tensions surrounding election administration and oversight in a key battleground state that has experienced significant electoral controversies since 2020. The legal challenge by Fulton County could potentially set precedents regarding federal access to local election materials and proper protocols for handling sensitive voter information during investigations.
Neither the Department of Justice nor Commissioner Arrington has provided additional comments on the pending litigation.
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9 Comments
It’s important that the chain of custody for all election records is properly maintained and documented. I’m glad to see Fulton County taking proactive steps to challenge the legality of the FBI’s actions and protect the security of their voter data.
Agreed. Transparency and accountability around election processes are essential. I’ll be following this story closely to see how it unfolds.
This appears to be a complex and sensitive issue. I hope all parties involved can work together constructively to find a resolution that upholds the integrity of the electoral system and respects the rights of Fulton County.
Maintaining the integrity of election records is essential for preserving public confidence in the electoral process. I’m glad to see Fulton County taking this matter seriously and pursuing legal action to protect their voters’ information.
As an observer, I’m curious to learn more about the specific reasons and legal justifications behind the FBI’s seizure of these election records. Transparency from all sides will be key to understanding the full context of this situation.
That’s a good point. The public deserves a clear explanation of the FBI’s actions and the rationale behind them. Maintaining public trust in the electoral process should be the top priority.
This is a complex and politically charged issue, but it’s critical that it’s addressed in a measured, objective manner. I’ll be following the legal proceedings with an open mind, hoping for a resolution that upholds democratic principles.
Elections are the foundation of our democracy, so it’s concerning to see this dispute over the handling of 2020 election records. I hope Fulton County is able to resolve this in a way that protects the confidentiality and security of voter information.
This is a concerning development, as the integrity of the electoral process is crucial for a healthy democracy. I hope Fulton County is able to resolve this issue through the proper legal channels and ensure the full accounting and return of all seized materials.