Judge Blocks DOJ Subpoena Seeking Names of Fulton County 2020 Election Workers

U.S. District Judge William Ray ruled Tuesday that the Department of Justice cannot obtain the names and personal contact information of every person who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia’s Fulton County. The Justice Department served a grand jury subpoena in April seeking those details from county employees and volunteer poll workers.

Fulton County asked the court to quash the subpoena, arguing it was intended to target and harass perceived political opponents and was grossly overbroad. “Given the low need for the subpoenaed information and the highly burdensome nature of the disclosure of the same, the Subpoena is unreasonable and must be quashed,” Ray wrote, describing the scope as staggering.

Fulton County Attorney Soo Jo said the county was proud of its efforts to push back against improper demands that undermine confidence in elections.

The ruling came after the FBI executed a search warrant in January at the Fulton County election hub, seizing hundreds of boxes of ballots and documents. A federal judge in May denied the county’s request to return those materials. The Justice Department argued the subpoena was the next step in its investigation into potential criminal actions after the 2020 election.

Ray noted that the statute of limitations for any related crimes has expired, and the subpoena would chill participation in future elections. Kamal Ghali, a lawyer for the county, argued during a May hearing that the subpoena would chill participation by election workers. Justice Department lawyer William McComb said the statute of limitations issue was not relevant at the investigative stage.

The FBI is using some 260 staffers across the country to examine records in the investigation, according to an agency memo.