During a recent hearing on December 9, the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections faced significant scrutiny. Attorney Ann Brumbaugh acknowledged that over 315,000 ballots in Fulton County lacked the necessary signatures on poll tapes, a violation of established regulations. This admission came in response to a complaint filed over two years prior, raising concerns about the timeliness and transparency of election processes in the county.
The issues extend beyond missing signatures. Evidence suggests that poll tapes were intentionally altered, misleadingly associating them with specific precincts. Georgia law clearly outlines the protocols that must be followed regarding the integrity of poll tapes and ballot scanners. The revelation is alarming, particularly for a process that might affect public confidence in the elections.
A review of prior communications reveals an attempt by Fulton County officials to obscure the truth regarding their record-keeping practices. In responding to an Open Records Request, attorney Steve Rosenberg implied that the original poll tapes were held by the Secretary of State’s office. However, the state clarified that this was not the case, stating that original records should be deposited with the Superior Court, not retained elsewhere. This contradiction raises serious questions about Fulton County’s handling of crucial election documents.
The financial aspect of these requests also draws concern. Fulton County initially sought to charge $10,000 for the document request, a figure that was later revised to $1,500. Such exorbitant costs for public records appear to violate the spirit of transparency that citizens expect from their government.
Further complicating the situation, Fulton County was found to have utilized a mere 16 tabulators at the English Street Warehouse instead of the mandated 148 tabulators used during the early voting period. The law stipulates that the closing poll tapes must be generated from the scanning machines employed on-site, ensuring accurate tracking of votes. Yet, the records show discrepancies in the machine serial numbers, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the results.
The Election Oversight Group detailed these irregularities, demonstrating that the official tapes did not correspond with those used during voting. A lack of uniformity in tabulator serial numbers across records points to a substantial breach of election laws, undermining the credibility of the entire election process.
The county’s defense, claiming the absence of signature requirements during the relevant period, is unfounded. The rules governing poll tape signatures were in effect during the 2020 election, including provisions for ballots cast during early voting. Any argument suggesting otherwise contradicts the established regulations in place at that time.
Additionally, the involvement of Dominion Voting staff, reportedly paid $2,000 per day during the period in question, casts further shadows on the integrity of the election process. Their presence at a site linked to the recent claims raises lingering doubts and demands verification of the decisions made during this critical election period.
In summary, the revelations stemming from Fulton County’s handling of election materials point to a deeper crisis within the electoral system. The acknowledgment of missing signatures is merely the beginning. Questions about document handling, financial transparency, and compliance with election laws need to be addressed urgently. The unfolding situation calls for rigorous examination to restore trust in the electoral processes that uphold democratic values.
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