Georgia's Challenge: Phasing Out QR Codes from Ballots

The state of Georgia is gearing up for a significant shift in its voting system, with a mandate to eliminate QR codes from ballots by July 2026. As the midterm elections approach, the state faces pressing challenges in determining how to comply with this requirement. Despite the urgency, a clear plan has yet to be established.

The Legislative Mandate and Its Implications

In 2024, Georgia's lawmakers passed legislation to phase out QR codes from ballots. However, this decision came without a financial allocation to facilitate the transition in the current year. Election officials have expressed concerns about implementing any substantial changes before the upcoming midterms, highlighting the risk of confusion and disruption if no clear guidance is in place by the deadline.

Victor Anderson, Chairman of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, has already voiced concerns, describing the situation as a potential "train wreck." The current voting setup involves touchscreen systems where voters make selections, which are then printed on paper ballots featuring QR codes and readable text. While these QR codes are used for counting votes, critics argue that the system lacks transparency, as voters cannot verify the encoded data.

Historical Context and Political Dynamics

Georgia's existing voting system was acquired in 2019 under a decade-long contract amounting to $107 million. The legislation mandating touchscreens received substantial support from Republican lawmakers, with opposition primarily from Democrats. However, skepticism about the state's election equipment has grown among some conservatives following former President Trump's narrow loss in 2020. Despite multiple recounts and investigations disproving claims of widespread voter fraud, distrust lingers.

Proposed Solutions and Financial Considerations

As the deadline approaches, discussions on how to eliminate QR code tabulation have revealed differing opinions. The Secretary of State's office has proposed a solution that involves "double-blind counts" with an estimated cost of $300,000 per election. This approach suggests conducting two vote counts: an initial count using QR codes on election night and a subsequent count based on the text from ballot images before state certification. However, counties would still certify results using QR codes under this proposal.

Optical character recognition technology, which would facilitate this process, is not new to the state. It was utilized during audits of the 2024 presidential election and the November 2025 elections, demonstrating results closely matching the election night counts. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, who is running for governor in 2026, has defended the accuracy and security of Georgia's voting system, citing audits that consistently verify the reliability of the vote counts.

Criticism and Advocacy for Alternative Methods

Despite reassurances, critics of Georgia's voting technology argue that it remains susceptible to potential security breaches. A federal judge recently acknowledged these vulnerabilities while dismissing a long-standing election security lawsuit. Although the plaintiffs could not demonstrate harm, the judge highlighted "substantial concerns" about the system's security.

The Coalition for Good Governance, an advocate for hand-marked paper ballots, contends that relying on ballot images is an inadequate solution for verifying a system perceived as fragile and costly. Marilyn Marks, the coalition's executive director, emphasizes the need for Georgia to transition away from this system.

Exploring Hand-Marked Paper Ballots

In a proactive move, Republican state representatives Anderson and Tim Fleming suggested a test run of hand-marked paper ballots for the November 2025 Public Service Commission elections. However, the Secretary of State's office rejected this idea, citing state law that mandates a uniform voting system across all counties.

Support for hand-marked ballots has been gaining momentum, with some Democrats joining Republicans in advocating for this change. State Senator Elena Parent has called for a planned and funded transition away from the current system, criticizing the lack of organized efforts thus far.

The Path Forward

Given that nearly 70% of the nation relies primarily on hand-marked paper ballots, Georgia stands as one of the few states utilizing touchscreens exclusively for in-person voting. To meet the QR code elimination deadline, lawmakers could consider extending the effective date or making the transition contingent on securing the necessary funding.

Raffensperger has estimated that the removal of QR codes could exceed $60 million. As legislative efforts ramp up for the coming year, the State Election Board is set to review a rule that might declare the current touchscreen system illegal, impractical, or impossible, potentially paving the way for a switch to hand-marked paper ballots.

The impending deadline and upcoming elections will undoubtedly influence legislative decisions. With key political figures like Lt. Governor Burt Jones and Raffensperger vying for higher office, the stakes are high. The House elections study committee, chaired by Fleming, is expected to provide legislative recommendations before the next session, shaping the future of Georgia's voting system.