Union City, Georgia, January 29, 2026
The FBI conducted a search at the Fulton County Election Hub in Union City, Georgia to seize records from the 2020 presidential election, including ballots and voter rolls. This significant action raises questions regarding election integrity in a state highly scrutinized for its election processes. Concerns were expressed about the chain of custody for the seized materials. The operation is part of broader federal inquiries into potential election interference.
Atlanta
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City, Georgia, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. This action, described by the bureau as a court-authorized law enforcement activity, sought records related to the 2020 presidential election, including physical ballots. The operation concluded Wednesday night.
The search targeted a large, warehouse-like facility, the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center, which Georgia officials opened in 2023. Agents were authorized to seize a range of materials from the 2020 election, specifically including all physical ballots, voting machine tabulator tapes, images produced during the ballot count, and voter rolls. Fulton County officials confirmed that the warrant pertained to 2020 election records.
Reports indicate that an initial warrant was challenged on-site by county officials due to legal concerns, leading the FBI to subsequently obtain a corrected warrant. The Fulton County Clerk of Courts, Ché Alexander, who serves as the custodian of the election materials, was present at the warehouse during the FBI’s activities. This event marks a significant public step in the ongoing federal scrutiny surrounding election administration in this State-level jurisdiction.
Context of Ongoing Scrutiny
The FBI’s presence in Union City unfolds amidst a broader, protracted examination of the 2020 election results, particularly in Fulton County, which is Georgia’s most populous county and a Democratic stronghold. The Justice Department had previously initiated legal action against Fulton County in December 2025, seeking 2020 election records to investigate compliance with federal election law. This lawsuit demanded access to used and void ballots, ballot stubs, signature envelopes, and corresponding digital files from the 2020 General Election in Fulton County.
The backdrop to these federal actions includes assertions of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election, claims that have been consistently rejected by courts and state and federal officials alike. Numerous investigations have found no evidence of fraud significant enough to alter the election’s outcome. For instance, despite allegations, investigators debunked claims regarding ineligible voters and electronic vote-flipping. Instances of double-scanned ballots were noted but were not extensive enough to change the election results. In 2022, former Attorney General William Barr affirmed that federal investigators had found no evidence to substantiate systemic fraud.
Past Legal Actions and Dismissals
Fulton County has been central to various legal proceedings concerning the 2020 election. In August 2023, a Georgia grand jury indicted a former president and several associates on racketeering charges, alleging efforts to unlawfully overturn the State-level election results. However, that case was dismissed in November 2023, following an appellate ruling that raised concerns about the lead prosecutor’s relationship with a special prosecutor.
The persistent focus on Fulton County’s election processes touches upon the fundamental mechanisms by which a democratic society counts its votes and endeavors to uphold the integrity of its elections. The meticulous gathering of evidence, when undertaken with careful adherence to legal process, serves as a testament to the enduring search for clarity in matters of public trust, even as it stirs reflections on the weight of past electoral contention.
Concerns Regarding Chain of Custody
Amid the FBI’s activities on Wednesday, some State-level Democratic officials voiced concerns regarding the chain of custody for the seized materials. The integrity of election records, particularly ballots, hinges significantly on an unbroken chain of custody to assure their authenticity and prevent any question of tampering. Safeguarding these documents with utmost care is a principle woven deeply into the fabric of electoral administration, a quiet assurance of the process’s fidelity.
The ongoing federal investigation into 2020 election records in Fulton County underscores the enduring questions that linger in the wake of a deeply contested election, and the methodical pursuit of facts, however prolonged, represents a society’s commitment to discerning truth and accountability within its electoral machinery.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened at the Fulton County Election Hub?
The FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center in Union City, Georgia, on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
What was the purpose of the FBI’s operation?
The FBI’s operation was described as a court-authorized law enforcement activity and sought records related to the 2020 presidential election in connection with an investigation into potential election interference.
What specific items did the FBI seek to seize?
The FBI sought to seize physical ballots, voting machine tabulator tapes, images produced during the ballot count, and voter rolls from the 2020 election.
When did this event take place?
The search warrant was executed on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, and the operation concluded that night.
What is the Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center?
It is a large, warehouse-like facility in Union City, Georgia, opened by Georgia officials in 2023, serving as the main county election operations center.
Have there been previous investigations into Fulton County’s 2020 election?
Yes, there have been numerous audits, court cases, and independent investigations, including a Georgia grand jury indictment in August 2023 that was later dismissed. These investigations found no widespread fraud sufficient to alter the 2020 election’s outcome.
What concerns were raised during the FBI’s search?
Some State-level Democratic officials expressed concerns regarding the chain of custody for the seized election materials.
Key Features of the FBI’s Search in Fulton County
| Feature | Detail | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Date of Search | Wednesday, January 28, 2026 | State-level |
| Location | Fulton County Election Hub and Operation Center, Union City, Georgia | State-level |
| Agency Involved | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) | Nationwide |
| Nature of Activity | Court-authorized law enforcement action | Nationwide |
| Records Sought | 2020 election records, including physical ballots, tabulator tapes, ballot images, voter rolls | State-level |
| Investigation Focus | Potential election interference; compliance with federal election law | Nationwide |
| Facility Opened | 2023 | State-level |
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