The recent developments in Georgia regarding the 2020 election investigation spotlight significant concerns about election integrity and accountability. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene’s formal request to the Department of Justice reflects ongoing scrutiny of the processes used in that election. Georgia’s State Election Board has taken steps to ensure transparency by issuing subpoenas for essential materials related to the counting of votes. This move aims to address allegations concerning duplicate ballots and missing documentation.
On September 24, 2025, the Board voted 3-1 to compel the Fulton County Board of Registrations and other officials to provide physical paper ballots along with their stubs and absentee ballot envelopes. This demand follows previous requests for election documents that Fulton County has yet to fulfill due to unresolved legal matters. Board Member Sara Ghazal acknowledged the claims surrounding the final tally, including the counting of 17,852 ballots lacking corresponding images, raising critical questions about the integrity of the results.
The discussion in the Board meeting revealed a divide in perspective. Ghazal described the subpoenas as a “fishing expedition” while other Board members, like Dr. Janice Johnston, asserted the necessity of verifying the legitimacy of ballots. “Every absentee ballot should have a ballot envelope and a ballot stub maintained,” said Dr. Johnston, underscoring the need for traceability in the voting process. Ghazal countered with doubts about the purpose of seeking the envelopes, highlighting the plausibility of overreaching in the investigation.
The investigation centers on claims that significant irregularities occurred during the 2020 election, specifically outlined in SEB Complaint 2023-025. Allegations include the absence of thorough records for thousands of votes, points raised by both the Board members and other officials involved in the electoral process. The issues at stake are not just about numbers; they concern the very foundation of trustworthy elections.
Adding complexity to this matter is the testimony of Bridget Thorne, a veteran poll manager. Her concerns regarding the order of 770,210 ballots without stubs highlight critical accountability issues. “The stubs number the ballots. When a ballot is used, the manager keeps the stub to verify it was used,” Thorne stated. Her assertion emphasizes the critical nature of ensuring that ballots can be accurately tracked, pointing to potential lapses in both planning and execution rather than mere oversight.
The apparent lack of corresponding orders for absentee ballot envelopes raises further doubts. Georgia mandates that absentee ballots and election day ballots differ in size and format, necessitating careful accounting to prevent discrepancies. Yet there appears to be no recorded requisition for these envelopes as election officials adjusted their protocols in response to the pandemic.
The sequence of events—including the last-minute ordering of additional ballots—calls into question the procedures followed leading up to the election. Gabriel Sterling, an official from the Georgia Secretary of State’s office, previously cited the pandemic as a reason for requiring substantial quantities of emergency ballots, which weren’t ultimately utilized as anticipated. The implications of this pre-election strategy and the management of the ballots warrant careful review.
As the Georgia State Election Board forges ahead with its investigation, the focus remains on uncovering valid findings to either substantiate or dismiss claims of irregularities. The process is not merely procedural; the transparency and accountability of the electoral process are at stake. Each step taken in this unfolding narrative injects a further layer of scrutiny into how elections are conducted, signaling the potential for more significant changes in future elections.
The road ahead will be closely watched, both within Georgia and across the nation, as the ramifications of these investigations may extend well beyond their immediate findings. The push for greater integrity and reliability in elections reflects a broader desire for trust in the democratic process, which remains a cornerstone of American governance.
"*" indicates required fields
