Georgia’s Fulton County Election Board Cannot Find Missing 2020 Early Voting Zero Tapes

What's happening

Investigators from Georgia's State Election Board (SEB) have reported that the "zero tapes" from Fulton County's early voting during the 2020 election cannot be located. These zero tapes serve a crucial role in election administration by confirming that ballot tabulators start counting from zero, ensuring no residual votes from prior counts affect the results. The absence of these tapes has raised concerns about the transparency and accuracy of the vote counting process in the state's most populous county.

Fulton County, which faced numerous challenges during the 2020 election cycle, including long lines and voting machine malfunctions, has been under intense scrutiny since the election. The county’s election director resigned amid the fallout, and the situation was described by major news outlets as a "full-scale meltdown." These issues have contributed to a decline in public confidence regarding the county’s ability to conduct elections free of errors or irregularities.

The missing zero tapes were highlighted during a recent SEB meeting, where board member Jan Johnston explained their importance by comparing them to a trip odometer set to zero at the start of a journey. The zero tape verifies that the tabulator begins counting from zero votes, preventing any carryover from previous elections or test runs. Without these tapes, it becomes difficult to confirm the integrity of the ballot counting process for early voting in Fulton County.

In December, Fulton County admitted it failed to properly sign off on more than 100 tabulator tapes, representing approximately 315,000 votes from early voting. This admission came after a complaint was investigated by the office of Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. However, the investigation into the whereabouts of the zero tapes has been more complicated, as the tapes themselves have not been found despite efforts by the SEB and the Secretary of State’s office.

What's at stake

The confusion surrounding the zero tapes partly stems from unclear regulations about their handling and submission. Some SEB members believe the tapes should have been sent to the Secretary of State’s office, but state guidelines do not explicitly require this. Investigators from the Secretary of State’s office reportedly sought the tapes but were unable to produce them, and a spokesperson for the office indicated there was no clear mandate for Fulton County to submit the tapes as part of election administration.

According to Georgia state regulations, election workers are supposed to attach the zero tape to a form that is returned to the election superintendent at the close of early voting. The forms used in 2020 instructed workers to include the zero tapes, but it remains unclear whether this procedure was consistently followed in Fulton County. Efforts to obtain clarity from Fulton County’s elections director, Nadine Williams, have not yielded definitive answers about the tapes’ status or whereabouts.

State law requires election documents to be retained for 24 months after an election, meaning the zero tapes should still be available. The complaint about the missing tapes was filed within this retention period, adding urgency to the investigation. Following the SEB meeting, the FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County election office reportedly seeking these zero tapes, underscoring the seriousness of the inquiry into election procedures and record-keeping.

The ongoing investigation leaves many questions unanswered, including whether the zero tapes ever existed, if they were properly handled, or if they have been lost or discarded. The lack of a clear paper trail complicates efforts to verify the integrity of the 2020 election in Fulton County, a key battleground in Georgia’s political landscape. This uncertainty continues to fuel public debate and scrutiny over election administration in the state.

Looking ahead, election officials and investigators will focus on uncovering any remaining documentation and clarifying procedural gaps related to the zero tapes. The results of the FBI search and any forthcoming reports from the SEB and Secretary of State’s office will be critical in determining whether reforms or further oversight are necessary. Observers will be watching closely as the investigation progresses, especially in the lead-up to future elections where confidence in the process remains paramount.

Why it matters

Zero tapes are essential to confirm that ballot counters start at zero, ensuring accurate vote counts. Missing zero tapes undermine transparency and raise questions about election integrity in Fulton County. Fulton County’s election challenges have already eroded public trust, making missing documentation more concerning.

State law requires election records to be kept for 24 months, so the tapes should still exist. The investigation and FBI search highlight the seriousness of the issue and its potential impact on election oversight. Unclear regulations about zero tape handling contribute to confusion and accountability gaps.

Resolving this issue is critical to restoring confidence in Georgia’s election processes moving forward.

Key facts & context

The State Election Board of Georgia cannot locate the zero tapes from Fulton County’s early voting in the 2020 election. Zero tapes verify that ballot tabulators start counting votes from zero, preventing carryover errors. Fulton County experienced significant election administration problems in 2020, including long lines and machine malfunctions.

More than 100 tabulator tapes representing about 315,000 early votes were not properly signed off by Fulton County. Georgia state law mandates election documents be retained for 24 months after an election. Election workers are required to attach zero tapes to forms returned to the election superintendent after early voting.

There is no explicit state requirement for counties to submit zero tapes to the Secretary of State’s office. FBI executed a search warrant at the Fulton County election office seeking the missing zero tapes. Fulton County’s elections director, Nadine Williams, has not provided a definitive statement on the tapes’ status.

The missing zero tapes issue was discussed at a recent SEB meeting, with board members emphasizing their importance. The investigation into the missing zero tapes is part of broader scrutiny of Fulton County’s 2020 election practices. The absence of zero tapes complicates efforts to verify the accuracy and transparency of the 2020 election results in Fulton County.

Timeline & key developments

2026-01-30: Fulton County Election Board Unable to Locate Missing 'Zero Tapes' from 2020 Election. Additional reporting on this topic is available in our broader archive and will continue to shape this timeline as new developments emerge.

Primary sources

• rules.sos.ga.gov document
• rules.sos.georgia.gov document

Further reading & references

• (Additional background links will appear here as we cover this topic.)