Georgia Probes Voter Solicitation Scandal as FBI Intensifies Fulton County Election Review

Georgia election officials have launched an investigation into a nonprofit accused of sending voter registration solicitations to deceased individuals and even a dead pet, as the FBI intensifies its review of Fulton County’s 2020 election records.

Explainer Election Integrity in America: Safeguarding Voter Trust and Ballot Security

The controversy centers on whether third-party voter outreach and ongoing federal scrutiny are undermining public trust in Georgia’s election system. The state’s Secretary of State, Brad Raffensperger, confirmed his office received over 400 complaints about voter registration solicitations sent by Ready to Register, Inc., a nonprofit organization. Some of the mailings were addressed to people who had died, including one case involving a deceased dog, according to The Center Square. Raffensperger’s office stated it is investigating whether Ready to Register violated Georgia law and will refer the case for prosecution if warranted.

"Our office received over 400 letters showing a solicitation to register sent by a third-party organization called ‘Ready to Register, Inc.’ Our office had nothing to do with this solicitation. We are investigating to determine whether Ready to Register violated any Georgia laws and will refer the case for prosecution if our investigation determines any laws were violated."

— Brad Raffensperger, Georgia Secretary of State

Garland Favorito, co-founder of the election integrity group VoterGA, said the State Election Board is also investigating Ready to Register. "We’ll have to wait to see what the investigation reveals in order to determine how to prevent that occurrence in the future," Favorito told the Daily Signal.

FBI Review of 2020 Election Records

Meanwhile, the FBI has ramped up its investigation into Fulton County’s 2020 election, with hundreds of analysts examining ballots and related materials, according to The Center Square. The agency reportedly took possession of more than 600 ballot boxes and tabulator tapes from the Fulton County Elections office earlier this year. Garland Favorito said FBI investigators are currently reviewing documents and are expected to complete their initial review on July 17.

Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts said the county has not received any new communication or additional subpoenas from the FBI or Justice Department regarding an increase in agents reviewing ballots. On July 7, a federal judge struck down Department of Justice subpoenas seeking information on county election workers.

The FBI’s involvement in reviewing Fulton County’s 2020 election records comes amid ongoing national debate over election integrity and the security of voting processes. The federal review, which includes the examination of physical ballots and tabulator tapes, is seen by some as a necessary step to address lingering questions from the 2020 election, while others argue it could further erode confidence in the electoral system if not handled transparently. The outcome of the FBI’s review could have implications for how future elections are conducted and monitored in Georgia and potentially in other states.

Trump Endorsement and Congressional Race

Amid the investigations, former President Donald Trump endorsed Dr. John Cowan for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District. Cowan is running to replace Rep. Barry Loudermilk, who will resign at the end of his term. Cowan will face Democrat Chris Harden and independent Natalie Richoz in the November general election. In his endorsement, Trump called Cowan "a proven leader" who has served as a neurosurgeon, small business owner, and civic leader.

The 11th Congressional District race is drawing attention as it unfolds alongside ongoing election-related investigations. Trump’s endorsement is expected to influence Republican voters in the district, potentially shaping the outcome of the race. The contest will be closely watched as Georgia continues to be a focal point in national discussions about election security and political leadership.

New Election Rules and Legal Concerns

The Georgia State Election Board recently adopted two new rules aimed at increasing public confidence in elections, as reported by The Current. One rule requires that vote-counting be conducted using paper ballots rather than digital copies. The other mandates that vote-counting must occur in public. Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has warned that one of the new rules could override the state constitution, potentially leading to a court challenge.

Georgia’s current voting system uses a combination of digital selection and paper printouts, with a QR code used to submit voter choices. Some have questioned whether the QR code and printed selections always match, raising concerns about transparency and accuracy. The new rules are intended to address these concerns by emphasizing the use of paper ballots and public vote-counting, but legal challenges could complicate their implementation.

The State Election Board and Secretary of State’s office have not addressed whether the new rules will impact the ongoing investigations or the upcoming general election. As Georgia prepares for the November election, officials and voters alike are watching closely to see how these developments will affect the state’s election process and public confidence in the results.

The investigations into voter registration solicitations, the FBI’s review of 2020 election records, and the adoption of new election rules all highlight the ongoing scrutiny of Georgia’s election system. With federal and state authorities involved, and with high-profile political races underway, Georgia remains at the center of national attention regarding election integrity and reform.