A significant issue has emerged regarding the handling of election documents in Fulton County, Georgia, related to the 2020 presidential election. Recent meetings and investigations have revealed that critical "zero tapes," which confirm that ballot counts started at zero, may be missing. This has raised concerns about the integrity of the election process in a county that faced multiple challenges during the 2020 elections.
1. Missing Tapes: Members of the State Election Board (SEB) expressed alarm during a recent meeting when it was revealed that "zero tapes," necessary for verifying proper ballot counting, could not be located for the 2020 election.
2. Zero Tapes Function: A "zero tape" must be printed and signed before counting begins on a ballot scanner. This tape shows that the count started at zero, and it helps ensure no previous votes are counted. In December 2020, Fulton County officials admitted they failed to sign over 100 tabulator tapes, affecting the count of approximately 315,000 votes.
3. Board Concerns: SEB member Jan Johnston clarified that the zero tape is critical for ensuring the integrity of the election process, comparing it to a trip odometer that needs to be reset before starting a journey.
4. Lack of Documentation: Investigators struggled to find any of the 148 early voting "zero tapes," as there seems to be confusion about where these tapes should have been delivered post-election. Fulton County’s regulations do not clearly outline the process, leaving many questions unanswered.
5. State Investigation: Following a complaint by election integrity advocate David Cross in 2022, Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office investigated and confirmed the absence of zero tapes from early voting. This led to further inquiries about their whereabouts.
6. FBI Involvement: A week after the SEB meeting, an FBI raid occurred at the Fulton County election office, focusing on retrieving the missing zero tapes from the 2020 election.
7. Unclear Outcomes: The SEB is left with many uncertainties about the zero tapes. It is unknown whether they were properly handled and later disposed of or if they are simply misplaced. There is currently no evidence of a paper trail to confirm their status.
The situation in Fulton County raises troubling questions about the security and administration of elections. Missing zero tapes present a significant concern for election integrity, emphasizing the need for better clarity and procedures regarding election documentation. Without proper accountability and tracking of crucial materials, there is a risk that trust in the electoral process could be further undermined. As investigations continue, it remains unclear what will happen next regarding the missing tapes and the overall oversight of Fulton County's election operations.
No comments:
Post a Comment