Federal Judge Blocks Justice Department Subpoena for Georgia 2020 Election Workers' Information

On July 7, 2026, U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II blocked a Justice Department grand jury subpoena seeking the personal information of Fulton County's 2020 election workers. Ray ruled that the five-year statute of limitations for potential election crimes had expired, making the broad request an invalid use of grand jury power. Fulton County officials praised the decision, warning that the subpoena would harass staff and chill future poll worker recruitment. The Justice Department is considering an appeal to protect the grand jury's investigative purview.

DOJ subpoena blocked

• ▪U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II blocked a Justice Department grand jury subpoena seeking personal information of 2020 Fulton County election workers on July 7, 2026

Georgia election worker data

• ▪The Justice Department's subpoena, served in April 2026, sought names, residential addresses, and personal telephone numbers of Fulton County's 2020 election workers and volunteers
• ▪Fulton County officials challenged the subpoena in May 2026, arguing it was an attempt to target, harass, and punish political opponents

Statute of limitations expired

• ▪Judge William M. Ray II ruled that the five-year statute of limitations for potential crimes arising from the 2020 election had expired, rendering the subpoena's investigative purpose invalid
• ▪Justice Department lawyer William McComb argued in court that the statute of limitations is not relevant during the investigative stage of a probe

Poll worker recruitment concerns

• ▪Fulton County Attorney Soo Jo and Chairman Robb Pitts praised the ruling as a successful defense against improper demands that undermine election confidence
• ▪Judge William M. Ray II and Fulton County representatives stated that disclosing the personal information of election workers would chill future poll worker recruitment efforts

Judicial limits on prosecutorial power

• ▪The Justice Department stated it is considering all options to challenge the ruling, arguing it jeopardizes the historic purview of the grand jury
• ▪The ruling is part of a series of federal court decisions quashing Trump administration Justice Department subpoenas, including similar blocks in Minnesota and Washington, D.C.

Fulton County ballot seizure

• ▪A federal judge in May 2026 denied Fulton County's request to force the federal government to return the seized 2020 ballots
• ▪The Federal Bureau of Investigation seized approximately 700 boxes of 2020 election ballots and records from a Fulton County warehouse in January 2026