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NewsPBS NewsHourMay 5, 2026United States

Justice Department Subpoenas Names of 2020 Fulton County Election Workers

The U.S. Department of Justice has issued a grand jury subpoena demanding the personal contact information of thousands of Fulton County, Georgia, election workers from the 2020 election. Fulton County officials have filed a motion to block the request, arguing it is an overbroad attempt to harass employees and volunteers.

electionsjustice departmentfulton countyvoter fraudsubpoenaprivacy
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Why It Matters

The outcome of this legal challenge will determine whether the federal government can access the private contact details of thousands of local election workers, potentially impacting their personal safety and future participation in election administration.

Key Facts

  • The Department of Justice issued a grand jury subpoena on April 17, 2020, served on April 20, seeking names, positions, residential addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of 2020 Fulton County election workers.
  • The subpoena covers thousands of individuals, including county employees, bus drivers for mobile voting, and temporary volunteers.
  • Fulton County lawyers filed a motion to quash the subpoena, arguing it is overbroad and intended to harass political opponents.
  • The county argues that the statute of limitations for any federal crimes related to the 2020 election has expired.
  • The subpoena directs records to be sent to an out-of-state DOJ lawyer or an FBI agent rather than directly to the grand jury.
  • Fulton County officials state that the threat of such disclosures is causing election workers to resign in record numbers.
  • The FBI previously seized ballots and documents from a Fulton County warehouse in January.
  • The DOJ has issued similar demands for election records in Maricopa County, Arizona, and Wayne County, Michigan.

Who's Mentioned

locationFulton County“Georgia county currently challenging the federal subpoena.”personRuby Freeman“Election worker who faced threats following the 2020 election.”personJoe Biden“President who won the 2020 election in Georgia.”organizationFBI“Federal agency involved in seizing 2020 election ballots.”personRobb Pitts“Chairman of the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.”organizationDepartment of Justice“Federal agency issuing the subpoena for election worker data.”personDonald Trump“Former President who has alleged widespread voter fraud in Fulton County.”