A federal judge dismissed the Justice Department’s effort to obtain personal data of individuals who worked on the 2020 election in Fulton County. The decision marks a significant setback for the ongoing investigation into election‑related claims.
The subpoena, issued in April, demanded the names and contact information of county employees and volunteers who participated in the 2020 presidential election. It sought data for a wide array of roles linked to ballot processing and oversight.
Requested records included individuals who reviewed mail‑in ballots, served on voter review panels, staffed mobile voting locations, and transferred ballots or media. The list also covered workers for the Board of Registrations and Elections, participants in the risk‑limiting audit, recount volunteers, and precinct managers.
Fulton County contested the subpoena, asserting that it was overly broad and designed to target political opponents. County officials argued that the demand exceeded any legitimate investigative need.
U.S. District Judge William Ray described the request as “grossly over broad” and lacking a reasonable justification. He emphasized that the scope of the subpoena did not align with any specific evidentiary purpose.
The judge concluded that the minimal necessity for the information and the burdensome nature of its disclosure rendered the subpoena unreasonable. He ordered the subpoena to be quashed.
The ruling follows an earlier FBI raid of the Fulton County election office and reflects continuing disputes over investigations into alleged voter fraud claims.
