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Justice Department files lawsuit over 2020 voting records
The Trump administration has taken legal action against Fulton County, Georgia, demanding access to ballots and related materials from the 2020 presidential election. The lawsuit alleges violations of the Civil Rights Act after county officials refused to release the records without a court order.
Demands for ballot materials
The federal government seeks all used and void ballots, ballot stubs, signature envelopes, and digital files from the 2020 general election in Fulton County. A subpoena was issued in October, citing an investigation into compliance with federal election laws.
"States must protect against vote dilution. If they fail to uphold their duty, we will intervene," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon.
U.S. Department of Justice
County resists federal request
Fulton County officials argued that the ballots were sealed and could not be produced without judicial authorization. The county has not yet responded to requests for comment on the lawsuit.
Georgia's pivotal role in 2020 election
Donald Trump lost Georgia to Joe Biden by a narrow margin in 2020, a defeat that contributed to his loss of the presidency. Fulton County, which includes Atlanta, became a central focus of Trump's efforts to challenge the election results.
In a recorded phone call after the election, Trump urged Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to "find" enough votes to overturn Biden's victory. Raffensperger, whose office oversees state elections, confirmed Biden's win even after multiple reviews.
Legal battles and election challenges
Trump has repeatedly claimed widespread fraud in the 2020 election, despite courts rejecting numerous legal challenges brought by his campaign and allies. Earlier this month, a Georgia judge dismissed a racketeering case against Trump related to efforts to overturn the state's election results.
The case, led by Fulton County prosecutor Fani Willis, was once considered the most serious of Trump's four criminal indictments, as state-level charges could not be pardoned if he returned to office. Trump pleaded not guilty in August 2023, but procedural setbacks and his 2025 return to the White House effectively halted the prosecution.
Next steps
The lawsuit marks the latest chapter in ongoing disputes over the 2020 election. Legal experts say the case could set precedents for federal oversight of state election procedures.
