Atlanta, Georgia, February 11, 2026
The FBI has unsealed court records detailing the rationale behind seizing election materials from Fulton County, Georgia. The investigation addresses allegations of irregularities in the vote tabulation process during the 2020 presidential election. Key issues raised include missing ballot images, duplicated ballots, and inconsistencies in recount tallies. Fulton County officials have challenged these claims, asserting they result from routine administrative errors. The legal battle continues as the county seeks to reclaim the seized records while questioning the legitimacy of the allegations and the guidelines surrounding the investigation.
Atlanta, Georgia
Newly unsealed court records reveal the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) basis for seizing 2020 election materials from Fulton County, Georgia, last month, casting a fresh light on the meticulous and often fraught processes underpinning electoral integrity. A federal judge mandated the unsealing of the affidavits on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, offering the public a clearer view of the federal inquiry into alleged “deficiencies or defects” in the county’s vote tabulation.
The documents indicate a criminal investigation is underway, seeking to determine if any identified irregularities in the 2020 presidential election were intentional acts that contravened federal law. The FBI’s action, executed on January 28, 2026, involved the seizure of hundreds of boxes of election records, including all physical ballots from the 2020 contest.
Allegations and Scrutiny
The affidavits, which provide the first public justification for the federal search, detail several claims that prompted the investigation. These include allegations that Fulton County does not possess scanned images for all 528,777 ballots cast in the 2020 election. Furthermore, the investigation focuses on claims that some ballots were scanned multiple times during a subsequent recount, and that tallies during a hand recount exhibited inconsistencies. Reports from election observers noting “pristine” ballots, suggesting they had not been creased or folded as typically expected for mailed ballots, also factored into the outlined concerns. An additional point of scrutiny emerged from a machine recount which reportedly showed over 17,000 fewer ballots counted than in the original tally. Issues concerning the chain of custody for election materials were also cited in the unsealed records.
The core of the federal inquiry, initiated by a referral from Kurt Olsen, a White House employee and attorney involved in efforts to challenge the 2020 election results, seeks to ascertain if these identified issues constitute intentional wrongdoing, potentially violating federal statutes. These statutes include a federal law mandating the preservation of election records for at least 22 months following an election, classified as a misdemeanor, and another felony statute criminalizing the knowing and willful deprivation of a fair and impartially conducted election process.
Fulton County’s Stance and Legal Recourse
Fulton County officials have expressed their profound concern regarding the FBI’s actions and the underlying justifications. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts characterized the claims within the affidavits as “recycled rumors, lies, untruths and unproven conspiracy theories.” The county contends that many of the issues highlighted by federal agents, such as duplicate ballot scanning, were previously investigated by state authorities and often found to be routine administrative errors or oversights, rather than intentional misconduct. For instance, regarding the absence of certain scanned ballot images, county officials have stated that while those specific digital records may not have been retained, the original paper ballots, which serve as the primary legal record, remain preserved.
In response to the federal seizure, Fulton County has initiated legal proceedings, filing a lawsuit to compel the return of the hundreds of boxes of election materials. The county argues that the federal government’s reliance on what it describes as “debunked theories of fraud” disregards Fourth Amendment rights and seeks the immediate return of all original seized materials, requesting that any copies made by the government be maintained but not reviewed until the legal dispute is resolved.
Broader Context and Prior Investigations
The allegations underpinning the FBI’s search warrant affidavits are largely derived from claims that have circulated for years among individuals asserting widespread fraud in the 2020 election. However, a substantial body of evidence from multiple audits, nearly a dozen court rulings, and examinations by state officials—including Georgia’s Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger—and even former Attorney General William P. Barr, has consistently found no evidence of widespread fraud sufficient to alter the outcome of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. Joe Biden won Georgia by a margin of over 11,000 votes, a result affirmed by three separate counts. Secretary Raffensperger has publicly criticized the FBI’s investigation, labeling the claims as “baseless and repackaged.”
The invocation of these long-investigated claims in a federal search warrant raises questions about the evidentiary standards applied in such sensitive matters. The meticulous dance between ensuring electoral integrity and safeguarding the public’s trust in democratic processes requires not only thorough investigation but also a clear distinction between persistent allegations and established facts. As the legal proceedings unfold, the broader implications for the administration of elections and the public’s perception of their fairness will undoubtedly be a quiet undercurrent to the unfolding events.
Key Features of the Fulton County Election Records Seizure
| Feature | Description | Geographic Scope |
|---|---|---|
| FBI Investigation | Criminal probe into alleged “deficiencies or defects” in Fulton County’s 2020 election vote count. | Nationwide (FBI entity), State-level (subject of investigation) |
| Unsealed Records | Affidavits providing the legal basis for the FBI’s search warrant were unsealed on February 10, 2026. | State-level (Fulton County records) |
| Allegations Cited | Include missing ballot images, duplicated ballots, inconsistent recount tallies, “pristine” ballots, and chain of custody issues. | State-level (Fulton County specific) |
| Referral Source | The investigation originated from a referral by Kurt Olsen, a White House employee and attorney. | Nationwide (White House official), State-level (Fulton County subject) |
| Fulton County Response | Officials dismiss allegations as routine errors or oversight and filed a lawsuit seeking the return of seized materials. | State-level (Fulton County actions) |
| Previous Findings | Multiple audits and investigations found no widespread fraud sufficient to change Georgia’s 2020 election outcome. | State-level (Georgia election) |
| Federal Laws Involved | Potential violations of laws concerning election record retention and depriving voters of a fair election. | Nationwide (Federal laws) |
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Author: STAFF HERE ATLANTA WRITER
The ATLANTA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAtlanta.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Atlanta, Fulton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as vibrant music festivals like Shaky Knees and Music Midtown, major cultural celebrations including Dragon Con and the Atlanta Film Festival, and iconic sporting events like the Peachtree Road Race. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, beverages, and retail that power the local economy such as Delta Air Lines, The Coca-Cola Company, and The Home Depot. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAugusta.com and HERESavannah.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
