A tense standoff unfolded at a recent Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections meeting, centered around a simple, yet profoundly unsettling question: where are the 2020 ballots?
The inquiry came from Julie Adams, the board’s sole Republican member, immediately igniting a heated exchange. Chairwoman Sherri Allen swiftly intervened when Adams directed the question to Elections Director Nadine Williams, effectively silencing her before an answer could be given.
Williams, with a dismissive tone, stated the ballots had been in the possession of the Clerk of Superior Court for five years, secured in a warehouse. This declaration directly contradicted information Adams had previously received, leading to a sharp accusation of dishonesty from Williams. “Nobody told you that,” she insisted.
The debate was abruptly shut down by Chairwoman Allen, who cited ongoing litigation as the reason for avoiding further discussion. She assured the public a ruling was “soon” forthcoming, offering little in the way of transparency or reassurance.
The meeting wasn’t solely focused on the location of the ballots. Public comments underscored deep concerns about the 2020 election and the multiple investigations now underway, including a recent inquiry from the Department of Justice. Adams had previously questioned whether crucial decisions regarding subpoenas were being made behind closed doors, away from public scrutiny.
Adams, determined to be on record, expressed her full support for complying with both the Georgia State Election Board subpoenas and the DOJ investigation. She argued that a thorough review was the only way to dispel lingering doubts, stating, “If everything’s right, they’ll just say everything’s right, and it’ll be great.”
Fulton County has long been at the center of scrutiny regarding the 2020 election, with allegations of widespread irregularities surfacing soon after the results were certified. The Department of Justice’s involvement, prompted by a formal request from a U.S. Representative, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing pursuit of answers.
The DOJ’s requests, delivered in letters to a local judge, specifically seek access to approximately 148,000 absentee ballots and their corresponding envelopes. This represents the first time the DOJ has issued a firm deadline for a response concerning an investigation into the 2020 election in Georgia.
Meanwhile, a separate legal battle continues to unfold, with one group having waited over 1,000 days for a court to allow inspection of the physical paper ballots. The case, initially sent back by the Georgia Supreme Court in 2022, remains unresolved, adding another layer of complexity to the search for clarity.
