Judge Rules DOJ Can Keep FBI-Seized 2020 Ballots From Fulton County Despite Flawed Seizure

A federal judge has cleared the Justice Department to retain custody of ballots and election materials seized by the FBI from a warehouse in Fulton County, Georgia, in January 2026. The ruling deals a blow to Fulton County officials who argued the seizure was improper and violated their constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge JP Boulee acknowledged the FBI’s seizure of ballots from Georgia’s largest and most Democratic county was “certainly not perfect.” But after reviewing the case, he found that Fulton County failed to prove the government lacked probable cause or acted improperly in executing the seizure. The county also did not demonstrate it would suffer irreparable harm without the return of the documents, especially since the Justice Department has provided copies of the materials.

The FBI raid targeted Fulton County’s election hub amid a Justice Department investigation into alleged “irregularities” in the 2020 presidential election. The department cited potential violations of laws requiring election records to be preserved for 22 months and prohibiting fraudulent ballots. These claims come despite multiple recounts and audits, including a hand count, all confirming Joe Biden’s victory in Georgia.

Fulton County has been a focal point of former President Donald Trump’s unfounded claims that widespread fraud cost him the state and the presidency. The seizure and investigation reflect the ongoing efforts by Trump’s allies to undermine trust in the 2020 election results through legal and political pressure.

Judge Boulee’s 68-page opinion underscores the tension between investigating election integrity and protecting voting rights. While acknowledging imperfections in the FBI’s actions, the ruling affirms the government’s authority to pursue alleged election law violations without returning seized ballots prematurely.

This decision marks another chapter in the relentless attempts to challenge and delegitimize the 2020 election outcome. It also highlights the critical role of courts in balancing accountability with safeguarding democratic processes from politically motivated interference.