Investigators from Georgia's State Election Board (SEB) have reported that they cannot locate the "zero tapes" from Fulton County's early voting during the 2020 election. These tapes are critical for verifying that ballot counting began at zero, a process essential for ensuring election integrity.
The absence of these tapes raises significant questions about the administration of the election in Fulton County, which has faced scrutiny for various issues, including long lines and voting machine malfunctions. The SEB's findings come amid ongoing investigations into the county's election practices, further complicating the already contentious narrative surrounding the 2020 election.
Fulton County, Georgia's most populous county, experienced numerous problems during the 2020 election cycle, prompting a resignation from its election director. The county's challenges were widely reported, with The New York Times describing the situation as a "full-scale meltdown." These issues have contributed to a decline in public trust regarding the county's ability to conduct fair elections.
Key Details
During a recent SEB meeting, board member Jan Johnston highlighted the missing zero tapes, stating, "The zero tape is like the beginning of a trip odometer. You’re gonna take a trip, you’re gonna open the polls, and you set your trip odometer to zero." The zero tape is intended to confirm that no ballots from previous elections or test runs are counted, thus ensuring the accuracy of the vote.
Background and Reactions
In December, Fulton County acknowledged that it failed to sign off on more than 100 tabulator tapes, which accounted for approximately 315,000 votes from early voting. This admission was prompted by a complaint investigated by Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office. However, the investigation into the zero tapes has proven more elusive.
Johnston noted that the board was unable to find any of the 148 early voting zero tapes from Fulton County. "To the board’s knowledge, Fulton County turned over zero signed or unsigned opening tapes from early voting," she said. This lack of documentation raises concerns about the transparency and accountability of the election process in the county.
The confusion surrounding the handling of the zero tapes stems from unclear regulations regarding their delivery. Some board members believe the tapes should have been submitted to the Secretary of State’s office, but the existing guidelines do not explicitly require this. Johnston mentioned that investigators from the Secretary of State’s office sought the tapes but were unable to produce them.
The Federalist reached out to Raffensperger’s office for clarification on whether Fulton County ever provided the zero tapes. A spokesperson indicated that there was no clear requirement for the county to send the tapes as part of the election administration process. However, they did not respond to follow-up inquiries regarding whether the tapes were ever sent.
According to state regulations, election workers are required to attach the zero tape to a form that should be returned to the election superintendent at the close of the advance voting period. The forms used in 2020 instructed election workers to attach the zero tapes, but it remains unclear whether these procedures were followed.
Fulton County’s elections director, Nadine Williams, was contacted for comment on the status of the zero tapes but did not provide a definitive answer. The county acknowledged receipt of the inquiry but did not clarify whether the tapes were ever provided to the Secretary of State or his investigators.
State law mandates that election documents be retained for 24 months following an election, which means the missing zero tapes should still be available. However, Johnston pointed out that the complaint regarding the missing tapes was submitted within this retention period, further complicating the situation.
A week after the SEB meeting, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County election office, reportedly seeking the zero tapes from the 2020 general election. Election attorney Cleta Mitchell confirmed that the search warrant included requests for these critical documents.
The ongoing investigation leaves many questions unanswered. It is unclear whether the zero tapes ever existed, if they were properly handled, or if they have been lost or discarded since the election. The lack of a clear paper trail adds to the uncertainty surrounding Fulton County's election practices, leaving both officials and the public seeking clarity on the integrity of the electoral process.
Why it matters
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What’s next
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