In a significant development regarding the integrity of the 2020 election in Fulton County, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated legal action against the county’s Clerk of Courts, Che Alexander. This lawsuit comes on the heels of the DOJ’s request for specific election records that were allegedly not provided by the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections (BRE). This move highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding election transparency and compliance with federal laws.
The DOJ’s engagement began earlier this October when it reached out to the Fulton County BRE seeking a review of the election records. These records, however, were already supposed to be retained beyond the standard requirements due to ongoing litigation. Sheri Allen, the chair of the Fulton County BRE, took the controversial step of hiring outside legal counsel without board approval to respond to the DOJ’s inquiries. Her defense claimed that the requested records either did not fall under the federal law’s requirements or were not in the BRE’s custody but held by another office—the Fulton County Superior Court’s Clerk’s Office.
The implications of Allen’s actions raise questions about governance and accountability within the Fulton County BRE. Critics have noted the legal firm’s involvement, suggesting that the existence of outside counsel responding to the DOJ’s demands further complicates matters of transparency. Wendi Strauch Mahoney pointed out the lack of a formal vote on this decision, questioning the legitimacy of the law firm’s representation on behalf of the board.
In the lawsuit filed against Che Alexander, the DOJ claims that the Fulton County Clerk is violating Title III of the Civil Rights Act by failing to produce the necessary records. The suit demands compliance with federal law that pertains to voting transparency, affirming the seriousness of the DOJ’s pursuit of accountability. The potential fallout from this situation could set a precedent regarding how local election offices manage requests for election-related documents in the future.
The legal action follows a broader context as the State Election Board of Georgia, back in July 2025, had previously sought intervention from the attorney general to ensure transparency in voting processes. This urgency stems from a subpoena that required the Fulton County BRE to provide all used and void ballots, stubs, and signature envelopes from the 2020 election, underscoring the heightened scrutiny on Fulton County’s election practices.
Former President Trump weighed in on the situation, hinting at further revelations regarding the 2020 election. He emphasized that “the truth about the 2020 election” will emerge clearly in the coming months. His assertion that “we have all the information” suggests a belief that significant facts remain obscured from public understanding. Trump’s comments resonate with ongoing discussions about the integrity and transparency of the electoral process.
Support for increased scrutiny and inquiries into the election records has been voiced by several legal figures, including Sidney Powell, who has been vocal about election integrity issues in the past. Her statements reflect a growing call among some for continued investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 2020 election.
The actions taken by the DOJ against Fulton County could have broader implications for election oversight at both the state and federal levels. The forthcoming proceedings will test the limits of local compliance with federal election laws and the ability of federal entities to enforce these regulations effectively.
This legal battle not only showcases the complexities within Fulton County regarding election management but also serves as a bellwether for the national discourse surrounding election integrity and governmental accountability. As the case unfolds, all eyes will be on the potential outcomes that could reshape how elections are conducted and overseen in the future.
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