Georgia’s 2020 election is back in the spotlight with a controversy over unsigned ballot tapes that’s got everyone talking.
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is tackling claims about over 130 unsigned tabulator tapes involving roughly 315,000 ballots in Fulton County, calling it a clerical error that doesn’t invalidate legal votes, despite renewed assertions from former President Donald Trump and his allies that the election was stolen.
Let’s rewind to 2020, when Fulton County first tallied votes for the presidential race. Over 130 tabulator tapes, tied to about 315,000 ballots, went unsigned, violating a state rule that requires signatures from the poll manager and two witnesses after polls close.
This wasn’t just a minor oops—it’s a breach of protocol that’s fueled skepticism among those who already doubted the results. Trump and his supporters have long claimed, without solid proof, that Georgia’s election was rigged. But multiple audits, including a statewide hand recount, have consistently upheld the original outcome.
Fast forward to early 2021, when Trump dialed up Raffensperger, pressing him to “find” votes to flip the state’s results. That call didn’t change the numbers—Joe Biden secured the presidency with 306 electoral votes to Trump’s 232, and even a Georgia reversal wouldn’t have altered the national outcome. Still, the persistence of these claims keeps the pot boiling.
Raffensperger isn’t backing down, insisting that every voter was verified with photo ID. He stated on social media, “all voters were verified with photo ID and lawfully cast their ballots. A clerical error at the end of the day does not erase valid, legal votes.”
That’s a bold line in the sand, but let’s be real—unsigned tapes aren’t just a paperwork glitch when trust in elections is already razor-thin. Conservatives rightly demand transparency, not excuses, to ensure no funny business slipped through the cracks.
Fulton County’s own attorney, Ann Brumbaugh, admitted to the Georgia State Election Board, “does not dispute that the tapes were not signed,” labeling it “a violation of the rule.” There’s no sugarcoating that—it’s an error, plain and simple. But does it mean votes weren’t legit? Not according to recounts.
Recently, a Fulton County Superior Court judge, Robert McBurney, ruled that the state election board can access these 2020 ballots, but they’ll foot the bill for the process. Fulton County pegs that cost at nearly $400,000, and the judge ordered a detailed expense breakdown by early January. That’s a hefty price tag for clarity, but many conservatives argue it’s worth every penny to settle lingering doubts.
Since 2020, Fulton County claims to have tightened its ship with updated procedures and better training for poll watchers. They’re now required to sign tapes at the start and end of each day. But for skeptics, this feels like locking the barn door after the horse has bolted.
Trump’s allies aren’t letting this go quietly, with figures like Representative Mike Collins demanding apologies and action. The noise from social media echoes a broader frustration among conservatives who feel the system failed to protect election integrity. And they’ve got a point—rules exist for a reason.
Even with recounts confirming the results, the unsigned tapes remain a sore spot for those who value strict adherence to election law. If signatures are required, why weren’t they enforced in real time? That’s the question haunting Georgia voters who just want to trust the process.
For many on the right, this isn’t about overturning history—it’s about ensuring future elections don’t repeat these mistakes. The progressive push to downplay such errors as mere “clerical” issues doesn’t sit well with folks who see every rule as a safeguard against potential fraud.
Georgia’s 2020 saga isn’t over yet, and conservatives will keep pressing for answers until every doubt is addressed. Taxpayers shouldn’t be left holding the bag for sloppy oversight, and voters deserve ironclad confidence in their democracy. Let’s hope Fulton County’s updates hold up—because next time, excuses won’t cut it.
