FBI Seizes Georgia's Original 2020 Ballots and Voter Rolls From Fulton County

On January 28, 2026, FBI agents executed a search warrant at Fulton County, Georgia's Elections Hub and Operations Center and seized original 2020 voting records, including physical ballots, tabulator tapes and 2020 voter rolls — roughly 650 boxes, removed by the pallet. The warrant, signed by Magistrate Judge Catherine Salinas, said the material "constitutes evidence of the commission of a criminal offense" and cited statutes on election-record retention and on voter intimidation or procuring false votes. The supporting affidavit was sealed. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was observed at the site.

Georgia audited and certified its 2020 results, and courts rejected the challenges brought there; the records had been under court-ordered seal. Commissioner Marvin Arrington asked, "Once that stuff leaves our custody, where is the chain of custody?" The seizure came more than five years after the election and weeks before midterm-year election administration.

Fulton County moved for return of the materials and argued the search was unconstitutional; a judge later ruled the Justice Department could retain the ballots.