ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — A federal judge on Sunday ruled that records related to the FBI’s seizure of Fulton County ballots during the 2020 presidential election must be unsealed by Tuesday.

The order follows a motion filed last week by Fulton County Chairman Robb Pitts and the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections seeking to have the records unsealed. Several media organizations, including Gray Media, also filed a separate motion to intervene in the case.

The judge is allowing the Department of Justice to redact non-government witnesses in the documents.

“Fulton County is pleased that the Court agreed with our motion to unseal the affidavit filed in support of a search warrant that was executed on January 28, confiscating files from the 2020 election,” Pitts said in a statement. “The Court’s action affirms that this case is a matter of public interest, in Fulton County and beyond.

“Fulton County will continue to pursue every legal option to seek the return of election records and to defend our elections from possible takeover. Even in the midst of this unprecedented legal action, we will not allow our staff to be deterred or distracted from preparations for the 2026 election, which will be once again free, fair, transparent and legally compliant.”

The FBI executed a search warrant Jan. 28 at the Fulton County Elections Hub and Operations Center in Union City. An FBI spokesperson said the search involved about 25 agency personnel and resulted in the seizure of more than 600 boxes of records tied to the 2020 election at the Campbellton Fairburn Road location. The spokesperson added that Fulton County officials were not notified in advance.

This is a developing story. Check back with Atlanta News First for updates.

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