Raffensperger blames Fulton shredding incident on employee training, opens investigation

In this Dec. 14, 2020, file photo, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks during a press conference in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger says it’s “extremely troubling” that two Fulton County elections employees were able to allegedly shred about 300 voter registration forms. State law requires officials to preserve documents related to primary or general elections for 24 months.

Now Raffensperger is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to intervene. His office opened its own investigation despite Fulton’s election director Richard Barron firing both employees involved.

Barron’s office said the applications would have been received within the last 2 weeks.

Raffensperger spoke with WABE’s “All Things Considered” on the state’s next steps in the investigation, and blamed the incident on an overall lack of employee training.

Fulton County Commission chairman Robb Pitts also spoke with Burress about the county’s response calling it “proactive.” Pitts also said any criticism from the secretary of state is political and it’s still unclear why the employees shredded the ballots in the first place.

Any Fulton County resident who has questions can contact the registrations and elections department at 404-612-7030.