Georgia’s legislative session concluded without addressing a critical deadline for removing QR codes from ballots, leaving election officials scrambling and the state facing potential legal challenges. A bill to postpone the deadline until 2028 and initiate the procurement of new voting machines failed to pass the Senate, forcing all legislative efforts to restart next year.
Key Takeaways
- A 2024 law mandates the removal of QR codes from Georgia ballots by July 1, 2026.
- Senate Bill 214, which would have extended the deadline and begun the process for new voting machines, did not pass the Senate.
- Lawmakers are considering a special session to address the issue, but no decision has been made.
- Failure to comply could lead to lawsuits and potentially force a hand-count of all ballots in the November elections.
Legislative Stalemate on QR Code Ban
Georgia lawmakers adjourned their 2026 legislative session without resolving a significant election policy issue: the impending deadline to remove QR codes from voter ballots. The state is legally required to stop using QR codes for ballot tabulation by July 1, 2026, a mandate established by a 2024 law. However, the legislature failed to appropriate the necessary funds or pass legislation to facilitate this transition.
On the final day of the session, the House passed Senate Bill 214, which aimed to push back the deadline for removing QR codes to 2028 and start the process of acquiring a new election system. Despite passing the House, the bill did not make it to the Senate floor for a vote before the session ended. As the 2026 session marked the end of a biennium, all unpassed bills must be refiled and begin the legislative process anew next year.
Concerns and Potential Ramifications
Election officials and some lawmakers have expressed concern over the lack of action. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has previously highlighted the absence of funding for an election system overhaul. The failure to pass legislation leaves Georgia in a precarious position, potentially leading to an "unresolvable statutory conflict" come July 1.
Senate Minority Whip Kim Jackson suggested that lawsuits are likely, potentially burdening taxpayers and county governments. House Speaker Jon Burns acknowledged that "a couple of things were left out there that are a little troubling" and did not rule out the possibility of Governor Brian Kemp convening a special session to address election policy.
Local election administrators have voiced frustration, noting the difficulty of implementing significant changes with little notice. They emphasize the need for legislators to understand the practical implications of election laws before enacting them. Without a legislative solution, Georgia may face the prospect of counting all ballots by hand in the upcoming November elections, or relying on court intervention to resolve the statutory conflict.