FBI agents recently executed a major search warrant in Fulton County, Georgia, seizing over 700 boxes of materials related to the 2020 election. This operation has sparked significant concern about the accountability of officials responsible for managing election records. According to The Gateway Pundit, the warrant stems from persistent investigations by citizens who have questioned election integrity since the controversial 2020 election.
The search warrant, issued by a magistrate judge in Atlanta, specifically targets violations of federal laws concerning election records. Law 52 U.S.C. 20701 mandates the preservation of election-related records for 22 months, while 52 U.S.C. 20511 explicitly addresses fraudulent activities related to ballots. Such legal frameworks underscore the seriousness of the findings anticipated in the boxes transported to Virginia.
Included in the warrant are vital documents such as physical paper ballots, tabulator tapes from every voting machine, and voter rolls used during the election. The implications are profound, particularly given the allegations surrounding missing ballot images that have been raised since shortly after the election. Research by Dr. Philip Stark of UC Berkeley revealed significant discrepancies—specifically, he stated there were 376,863 missing ballot images, raising alarms about the potential for an incomplete or inaccurate audit of the election.
The investigation into Fulton County has dragged on for years amid claims of procedural dismissals and a lack of standing in lawsuits. A case initiated by VoterGA.org aimed to obtain crucial physical ballots but faced numerous hurdles. The recent Georgia Supreme Court decision, which restored plaintiffs’ standing, has stoked hopes for transparency, but actual access to physical ballots has remained elusive.
Compounding the issue, Fulton County officials have reportedly mismanaged tabulator tapes, with assertions that only nine of the required “Zero Tapes” were produced leading up to the elections. This raises fundamental questions about the integrity of the voting process. Statements by officials suggest these tapes have faded or gone missing entirely, yet the evidence points toward a potential lack of records retention.
The FBI’s warrant also saw State Election Board members barred from access during the search, suggesting a lack of transparency in the investigation’s execution. As the seized materials are reviewed, Fulton County officials face a challenging path ahead. The scrutiny of their actions will likely intensify.
The materials in question, now in the hands of federal investigators, could have significant consequences for how Fulton County addresses the extensive allegations of election misconduct. As these developments unfold, the growing public interest highlights the pressing need for oversight of election processes. The implications of these findings go beyond Fulton County, serving as a critical reminder of the importance of accountability in democratic systems.
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