Judge denies Fulton ballot return

U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee has rejected a request from Fulton County, Georgia, for the return of original 2020 election ballots seized during a federal raid.

The judge ruled that the Department of Justice has a legitimate interest in retaining the materials as part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

County officials had argued that the seizure was unconstitutional and interfered with local election administration.

The decision effectively ends the county's legal challenge and allows federal investigators to maintain control over the evidence as they probe potential election interference.