Georgia Senate Delays QR Code Voting Ban Until 2028
State Senate Republicans approved a measure on Saturday to delay a law banning QR code vote counting, ensuring Georgia maintains the touchscreen voting system. The emergency legislation, triggered by a failure to fund alternative systems, pushes the ban to 2028 and introduces mandatory hand recounts for top ticket races.
Key Highlights
- Senate Bill 3EX passed with a 33-19 vote, delaying the digital tally ban until 2028.
- The emergency legislation mandates historic, comprehensive hand recounts for the top two ballot races.
- Governor Brian Kemp convened a special legislative session to prevent imminent election legal challenges.
- A new 9-member Republican-appointed committee will establish upcoming voting machine standards.
State Senate Republicans approved a measure on Saturday that would delay a law banning QR code vote counting, meaning Georgia would keep the touchscreen voting system that President Donald Trump and his supporters have long criticized.
It also would require full hand recounts of the top two races on the ticket β a time-consuming and error-prone process.
The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 33 to 19. It must still pass the House.
Problems with the stateβs ballot counting led Gov. Brian Kemp to call state lawmakers to return to the state Capitol for a special session on Wednesday to avoid possible legal challenges to the midterm election results in Georgia.
Future Outlook
The passage of Senate Bill 3EX extends the use of Georgia’s controversial touchscreen voting infrastructure for another two years, pushing the transition deadline to 2028. Because lawmakers failed to secure an alternative system before the original July 1 deadline, the newly proposed 9-member legislative panel faces immense pressure to finalize specifications for future infrastructure.
Civil rights groups and election officials warn that the newly added mandate for hand-counting the top two statewide races will significantly prolong the official certification window, fundamentally altering Georgia’s election administration landscape ahead of major upcoming cycles.
FAQs
Why did Georgia lawmakers delay the ban on QR code voting?
Lawmakers delayed the prohibition until 2028 because the legislature failed to select, implement, or fund an alternative voting system before the original July 1 deadline, creating an administrative emergency.
What are the new hand-counting requirements under Senate Bill 3EX?
The bill introduces a mandatory hand recount of the top two races on any given ballot prior to official certification. This would typically include high-profile presidential, gubernatorial, or U.S. Senate matchups.
Who will select Georgia’s future voting machines?
A newly created 9-member legislative committee will dictate the standards and requirements for the next voting system. The committee members will be appointed exclusively by the governor and Republican legislative leaders.
