Why It Matters
Georgia’s State Election Board unanimously advanced a resolution Wednesday calling for accelerated removal of QR codes from ballots, intensifying pressure on state lawmakers to overhaul the voting system ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The push comes as the Republican-controlled legislature proposed delaying the transition to hand-marked paper ballots until after 2026, setting up a conflict between the election board and lawmakers over the timeline for implementing election security measures in Georgia.
The dispute centers on Georgia’s current ballot-scanning system, which uses QR codes to tally votes. Election board officials argue voters cannot fully verify their ballots before casting them under the existing setup, creating a potential security gap in the state’s election infrastructure.
What Happened
The Georgia State Election Board met March 18 at Marietta City Hall and passed a resolution introduced by board member Salleigh Grubbs requesting the state implement hand-marked paper ballots “as soon as practicable.” The action came one day after House lawmakers unveiled legislation proposing a shift to hand-marked paper ballots by the 2028 presidential election—a timeline that extends well beyond earlier deadlines.
Grubbs characterized the situation as urgent during the board meeting. “I think this is an emergency in Georgia,” she said. “I think a voting emergency should be declared.”
House lawmakers, led by Rep. Victor Anderson, a Cornelia Republican, acknowledged the initial July deadline for removing QR codes could not be met. Anderson stated that lawmakers “very quickly and very abruptly began to realize that the practicality of that happening without causing a severe upset in our election system, it just wasn’t gonna happen. It wasn’t possible.”
The resolution faced internal disagreement over its scope. Grubbs’ initial proposal also requested immediate state funding for new ballot printers and the appointment of legal advisors within one week to guide counties on removing QR codes before November’s general election. That portion of the resolution encountered pushback from board members and did not advance as originally drafted.
Board member Janelle King expressed frustration with the legislative delay. “At this point it almost feels like we have no choice but to send something to the Legislature,” she said, noting the board can only recommend actions to lawmakers and cannot override legislative authority.
By The Numbers
- Timeline delay: Original removal deadline was July; House proposal now targets 2028 presidential election
- Board vote: Resolution passed unanimously by Georgia’s State Election Board
- Election cycle affected: QR code removal request addresses 2026 midterm elections and beyond
- Prior legal action: Georgia Supreme Court permanently blocked four board-passed rules in June, determining the panel exceeded its authority under state election law
Zoom Out
Georgia’s debate over ballot scanning systems reflects broader national concerns about election security and verification methods. Multiple states have moved toward hand-marked paper ballots in recent years, with security experts arguing the system allows voters to independently verify their votes before casting ballots.
The conflict between Georgia’s election board and legislature illustrates the tension between executive and legislative authority in election administration. Following the June state Supreme Court decision that blocked four board rules, the panel faces legal constraints on its rulemaking power. The court determined the board cannot implement rules exceeding the scope of Georgia’s election laws, effectively limiting the board’s ability to act unilaterally on voting system changes.
Georgia’s current QR code system has become a focal point for election officials concerned with ballot security and voter confidence. The hand-marked paper ballot alternative would allow voters to physically mark their ballots and verify selections before submission, eliminating the intermediary QR code verification step.
What’s Next
The House legislation proposing a 2028 timeline for removing QR codes will proceed through the Georgia legislature for potential consideration and passage. The State Election Board’s unanimous resolution creates formal pressure on lawmakers but does not force legislative action.
The board may submit additional recommendations to the legislature regarding implementation logistics, ballot printer funding, and county guidance for the transition to hand-marked ballots. However, the legislature retains final authority over election system changes in Georgia.
The 2026 midterm election will proceed under Georgia’s current QR code scanning system unless lawmakers accelerate the transition timeline, a possibility the election board’s resolution is designed to encourage.