Fulton County Seeks Return of 2020 Election Ballots Seized by FBI

Georgia county argues FBI seizure of election materials was 'improper and unjustified'

Mar. 27, 2026 at 11:18pm

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Officials in Georgia's Fulton County are heading to federal court to demand the FBI return ballots and other materials seized from a county warehouse related to the 2020 presidential election. The county argues the seizure was unconstitutional, while the Justice Department says it is investigating potential irregularities in the county's handling of the election.

Why it matters

The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between election officials and federal law enforcement over access to sensitive voting data, with Democrats accusing the Trump administration of using law enforcement to pursue the former president's personal grievances about the 2020 election results.

The details

The FBI seized the materials on January 28 from a warehouse near Atlanta that housed Fulton County's elections hub. The county, which includes most of the city of Atlanta and is heavily Democratic, has been at the center of unfounded claims by former President Trump that widespread fraud cost him reelection. The Justice Department says it is investigating potential violations related to the county's handling of the 2020 vote, including whether ballot images were properly retained, whether some ballots were counted multiple times, and other alleged irregularities.

  • The FBI seized the materials on January 28, 2026.
  • A federal judge plans to hear arguments on the county's demand on Friday, March 27, 2026.

The players

Fulton County

The most populous county in Georgia, which includes most of the city of Atlanta and is heavily Democratic.

U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee

The federal judge who will hear arguments on Fulton County's demand to have the seized materials returned.

The Justice Department

The federal agency that seized the materials and is investigating potential irregularities in Fulton County's handling of the 2020 election.

Ryan Macias

An election technology and security expert who advised Fulton County during the 2020 election and submitted a sworn declaration challenging the Justice Department's claims.

Donald Trump

The former president who has made unfounded claims of widespread fraud in Fulton County and other battleground states that he lost in the 2020 election.

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What they’re saying

“The affidavit contains 'a multitude of false or misleading statements and omissions' and offered explanations for the alleged 'deficiencies.'”

— Ryan Macias, election technology and security expert

What’s next

The federal judge will decide whether to order the FBI to return the seized materials to Fulton County.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between election officials and federal law enforcement over access to sensitive voting data, with concerns that the Trump administration may have used law enforcement to pursue personal grievances about the 2020 election results.