Fulton County, Georgia, January 29, 2026
The FBI has executed a search warrant at the Fulton County election office in Union City, Georgia, to seize ballots and records from the 2020 general election. This significant action aims to address concerns about the integrity of electoral processes in Fulton County. Agents were seen collecting numerous boxes containing ballots, tabulator tapes, and voter rolls amidst ongoing scrutiny of the election’s conduct. Legal challenges from county officials delayed the process, but a revised warrant was obtained allowing the search to proceed.
Atlanta, Georgia
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at the Fulton County election office in Union City, Georgia, to seize ballots and associated records from the 2020 general election. This action represents a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny surrounding the integrity of electoral processes in the region. The warrant specifically sought all physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images, and voter rolls from the 2020 election within Fulton County. Agents could be observed loading hundreds of boxes from the elections hub into trucks.
The federal operation is part of a criminal investigation into potential violations of federal laws pertaining to the retention and preservation of election records by officials, and statutes criminalizing efforts to defraud voters from an impartially conducted election. The warrant stipulated that the materials might constitute evidence of a criminal offense.
Details of the Federal Action
Upon the initial presentation of the warrant, Fulton County officials challenged its legal standing, describing it as “incorrect legally.” Following this challenge, the FBI subsequently obtained and presented a corrected warrant, allowing the process to proceed. The county’s clerk of superior court, Che Alexander, who serves as the custodian of these sensitive materials, was present at the warehouse, meticulously inventorying the items being collected by federal agents.
In the wake of the federal action, county commissioners, the chairman, and the county attorney are reportedly evaluating legal options, including the possibility of an injunction or a motion to quash the warrant. Some elected officials have also voiced concerns regarding the maintenance of the chain of custody for the seized materials, a principle central to the very nature of electoral investigations. The careful handling of such records is paramount to ensuring that all aspects of an investigation remain beyond reproach.
Enduring Scrutiny of the 2020 Election
The FBI’s search in Fulton County unfolds against a backdrop of years of intense scrutiny directed at the county’s administration of the 2020 presidential election. Fulton County, as Georgia’s most populous county, has been a focal point for claims about the election results, though a machine count and two recounts confirmed the outcome at the time.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, the State Election Board, with a conservative majority, repeatedly sought to reopen a case alleging wrongdoing during the 2020 election in Fulton County. This included efforts to obtain various election documents through subpoenas. a December 2025 ruling by a Fulton County Superior Court Judge cleared the way for the State Election Board to access these ballots and documents, noting the board’s authority to open new investigations.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) also initiated legal proceedings against Fulton County in December 2025, filing a lawsuit to gain access to 2020 election records. The lawsuit accused the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections and Clerk of Courts Che Alexander of not complying with an October 2025 subpoena for election materials, including ballots and signature envelopes. The Justice Department asserted its request aimed to ensure Georgia’s compliance with federal election laws and to investigate what officials described as “unexplained anomalies in vote tabulation.” Fulton County officials countered that the records were under seal due to ongoing cases and could not be produced without a court order.
A state review of the county’s 2020 audit had previously identified errors and inconsistencies, such as some instances of double-counting ballots. However, this review concluded that these discrepancies were attributable to “human error” rather than “intentional misconduct” and were not of a magnitude to alter the final election results. The county subsequently agreed to implement remedial measures to prevent such issues in future elections.
The recent federal action, in its methodical collection of historical voting materials, underscores the meticulous and often protracted nature of inquiries into the foundations of democratic processes. In a republic that rests upon the consent of the governed, the careful examination of electoral records, when conducted with impartial adherence to legal frameworks, serves a vital purpose in upholding public confidence, even as it sometimes stirs the currents of public discourse. Such efforts, however deliberate, reflect a society’s deep-seated need for transparency and assurance in the mechanisms by which its collective will is expressed.
Table of Key Information
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Date of FBI Search Warrant Execution | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | State-level (Fulton County, GA) |
| Location of Search | Fulton County election office, Union City, Georgia | State-level (Fulton County, GA) |
| Items Sought/Seized | All ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images, and voter rolls from the 2020 general election | State-level (Fulton County, GA) |
| Legal Basis for Search | Criminal investigation into potential violations of federal laws regarding election record retention and preventing voter fraud | Nationwide (Federal laws) |
| Custodian of Materials | Fulton County Clerk of Superior Court, Che Alexander | State-level (Fulton County, GA) |
| Previous DOJ Action | U.S. Department of Justice sued Fulton County in December 2025 for access to 2020 election records | State-level (Fulton County, GA, with Nationwide (Federal) legal action) |
| State Review of 2020 Audit Findings | Identified errors and inconsistencies due to “human error” but not “intentional misconduct”; did not alter election results | State-level (Fulton County, GA) |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened at the Fulton County election office on January 28, 2026?
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant to seize ballots and associated records from the 2020 general election.
What specific items were sought by the FBI?
The warrant specifically sought all physical ballots, tabulator tapes, electronic ballot images, and voter rolls from the 2020 election within Fulton County.
What is the legal basis for this FBI action?
The action is part of a criminal investigation into potential violations of federal laws pertaining to the retention and preservation of election records by officials, and statutes criminalizing efforts to defraud voters from an impartially conducted election.
Were there any challenges to the warrant by Fulton County officials?
Yes, upon the initial presentation of the warrant, Fulton County officials challenged its legal standing, describing it as “incorrect legally.” The FBI subsequently obtained and presented a corrected warrant.
What has been the broader context of scrutiny regarding the 2020 election in Fulton County?
Fulton County has been a focal point for claims about the 2020 election results for years, and both the State Election Board and the U.S. Department of Justice have previously sought access to its 2020 election records through subpoenas and lawsuits.
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Federal Agents Conduct Search at Fulton County Elections Office
FBI Executes Search Warrant at Fulton County Elections Office
Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
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