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Georgia Lawmakers Seek Fix for QR Code Vote-Counting Ban
Lawmakers may extend the deadline as officials warn conflicting guidance could disrupt the July 28 special election and trigger litigation.
Georgia lawmakers convene this week for a special session to address a July 1, 2026, deadline banning QR codes for official vote tabulation. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp called the session after no replacement system was implemented in two years.
Legislators enacted the ban in 2024 following complaints about touchscreen voting machines after the 2020 election. Integrity advocates criticized the machines as vulnerable to hacking, arguing voters cannot verify selections because they cannot read printed QR codes.
The State Election Board rejected the Secretary's plan for the July 28 special election, instead directing counties to use hand-marked paper ballots if the General Assembly fails to extend the deadline.
Conflicting instructions from the two agencies could trigger litigation, officials warn. Elizabeth Young, a state attorney general's lawyer, said "obviously it would cause confusion for elections superintendents" receiving differing guidance.
Henry County officials are awaiting clarification as the deadline approaches. Candidate Carlos Moore urged lawmakers to "leave well enough alone for the special election" rather than implement an untested vote-counting method on short notice.