ATLANTA — A federal judge has ordered the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to unseal records connected to the seizure of 2020 election ballots and related documents in Fulton County, Georgia, setting a Tuesday deadline for disclosure.
The order covers materials linked to a federal operation that obtained ballots and election records from the county. The ruling directs the DOJ to release documents that had remained sealed, including internal filings outlining the basis, scope, and execution of the seizure.
The judge issued the decision after reviewing legal requests seeking public access to the records. The court determined that the public’s right to view judicial documents outweighed the need for continued secrecy under applicable transparency standards.
Federal authorities collected the ballots and documents as part of an ongoing investigation. Public filings have not fully detailed the focus or nature of that inquiry. Fulton County, which includes most of Atlanta, is one of Georgia’s most populous counties.
Election offices in the county had stored the 2020 ballots and related materials in compliance with state and federal retention requirements. Federal agents obtained the records under court-approved legal authority.
The order requires the DOJ to place the unsealed documents on the public docket by Tuesday. The department may request limited redactions for sensitive information, but the court must approve any proposed edits and has directed that the core content remain public.
The ruling applies to warrant applications, supporting affidavits, correspondence, and other filings submitted under seal. The documents are expected to show the legal justification for the federal request and the process used to obtain the materials.
The DOJ has not released a detailed public statement about the order. The court retains authority to enforce the directive and resolve disputes over redactions or the scope of the disclosure.
The case adds to ongoing legal scrutiny surrounding the 2020 election in Georgia, where Fulton County has been central to multiple investigations and court proceedings. Additional details are expected after the records become available on the public court docket.