Georgia lawmakers seek fix for vote-counting method set to be banned
9 reported1 unconfirmed1 conflicting
Georgia lawmakers are returning to the Capitol for a special session this week to address a self-created election issue. The state’s current vote-counting system relies on a QR code printed on ballots, but a law passed two years ago bans the use of that barcode for the official tabulation count after July 1, 2026. No replacement method has been implemented, and conflicting guidance from the secretary of state’s office and the State Election Board has added confusion for county election officials. Republican Gov. Brian Kemp called the special session with instructions to address issues created by that law. A special election to fill a U.S. House seat is scheduled for July 28, with early voting beginning July 6. The secretary of state’s office issued preliminary guidance for the six counties in that district, but the State Election Board passed a conflicting resolution. If the issues are not resolved, confusion and possible litigation over the state’s elections after July 1 are likely.
What’s reported
Georgia’s current election system uses a QR code on ballots to tally votes.
A law passed two years ago bans the use of that barcode for the official vote count after July 1, 2026.
No replacement counting method has been implemented.
Gov. Brian Kemp called a special session starting Wednesday to address the QR code issue and draw new congressional maps for 2028.
The secretary of state’s office issued guidance for six counties in a special election district, saying ballots will be run through scanners reading QR codes for election night counts, then optical character recognition software will tally votes from ballot images for the official count.
The State Election Board passed a resolution directing counties to use hand-marked paper ballots with scanners if the special session does not extend the QR code deadline.
A lawyer from the state attorney general’s office said the conflicting guidance would cause confusion for elections superintendents.
A special election to fill the remainder of U.S. Rep. David Scott’s term is set for July 28, with early voting starting July 6.
The secretary of state’s guidance says counties must continue using the current system and that the law does not authorize hand-marked paper ballots for in-person voting.
Conflicting accounts
The secretary of state’s office issued guidance for the special election district that includes using QR codes for election night counts and optical character recognition for the official count. The State Election Board passed a conflicting resolution directing counties to use hand-marked paper ballots with scanners if the QR code deadline is not extended. A lawyer from the state attorney general’s office noted the guidance is not binding but would cause confusion.
Open questions
Whether lawmakers will extend the QR code deadline or adopt a new counting method before the July 1 ban takes effect.
Key figures
Gov. Brian Kemp (Republican)
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger (Republican)
Elizabeth Young (lawyer, state attorney general’s office)
Axiver Harris (interim elections director, Henry County)
Marcye Scott (candidate in special election)
Carlos Moore (candidate in special election)
U.S. Rep. David Scott (deceased)
Sources: abcnews.com
