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Judge Blocks DOJ's Attempt to Obtain Personal Data of Georgia Election Workers

Published July 8, 2026 at 1:16 PM UTC

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In a significant legal development, a federal judge in Atlanta has blocked the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) from obtaining the names and personal contact information of individuals who worked during the 2020 election in Georgia's Fulton County. The DOJ had issued a grand jury subpoena in April, seeking detailed personal information of county employees and volunteer poll workers. This move was part of a broader investigation into alleged election irregularities in the state. President Donald Trump has previously claimed, without evidence, that widespread voter fraud in Georgia's most populous county, a Democratic stronghold, cost him victory in the state in 2020. Fulton County contested the subpoena, arguing that it was overly broad and politically motivated. The county's legal team contended that the request was designed to "target, harass and punish the President's perceived political opponents" and was "grossly over broad and untethered to...." U.S. District Judge William Ray, appointed by President Trump, agreed with Fulton County's assessment. In his ruling, Judge Ray described the scope of the subpoena as "staggering" and deemed it unreasonable due to its overly broad nature and lack of substantial need. He emphasized that even if the information could support theories about an unfair election, no charges could be brought because the statute of limitations had expired. The judge also expressed concern that granting the subpoena could deter individuals from participating in future elections, potentially undermining local election operations. The DOJ had argued that the subpoena was a standard part of an ongoing investigation and that the records were necessary to identify individuals with relevant knowledge. However, Judge Ray noted that the grand jury process cannot be misused to collect private data without legitimate law enforcement purposes. This ruling marks a significant moment in the ongoing debates over election integrity and the balance between investigative authority and individual privacy rights.