Full Breakdown
Georgia Delays QR Code Vote-Counting System Overhaul Ahead of 2026 Midterms
6/19/2026, 4:06:52 AM
Current Vote-Counting Method and Legislative Action
On June 18, 2026, the Georgia Senate advanced legislation to keep the QR-code ballot tabulation system for the November midterm election and extend its authorized use until Jan. 1, 2028. The bill also creates a bipartisan committee to recommend specifications for a new voting system. The full Senate will consider the measure on Saturday.
Background on the QR-Code System
Georgia’s 2024 election law barred QR-code tabulation after July 1, 2026, but no replacement was adopted. Each paper ballot prints a QR code that is scanned to tally votes. The system has faced conspiracy theories and legal challenges involving Dominion Voting Systems, the machine maker.
Key Legislative Figures and Committee Structure
Republican Sen. Max Burns, co-author of the bill, said the legislation “gets us into a position to clarify and provide certainty to our election officials and to our electorate.” The nine-member committee will include three appointees from Governor Brian Kemp, three senators and three representatives, and must deliver recommendations by Jan. 31, 2027 for the 2028 election.
Political Context and Opposition
Governor Brian Kemp convened a special session to address redistricting and the election system. Lawmakers rejected a plan to redraw congressional and legislative districts for 2028, citing a recent Supreme Court decision that weakened Voting Rights Act protections for minority voters. President Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized Georgia’s QR-code machines, alleging—without evidence—that they altered 2020 results. In January 2025, Trump issued an executive order targeting the machines; multiple courts have blocked it.
Official Statements & Responses
State officials emphasized that extending the deadline avoids confusion at polling places and provides time for a thorough review of alternatives. The governor’s office and House leaders have signaled agreement with the Senate’s proposal, according to Sen. Burns.
Criticism & Opposition
Election-integrity advocates say the QR-code system is vulnerable to hacking and that voters cannot verify selections because QR codes are not human-readable. These concerns persist despite no concrete evidence of tampering. Critics note the machines are used in at least some counties across more than a dozen states.
Implications for Election Integrity
Keeping the QR-code system for the 2026 midterms avoids potential confusion at polling sites, while concerns about security and transparency remain. The upcoming committee’s recommendations will shape Georgia’s voting infrastructure for the 2028 cycle and could influence practices in other states that employ similar technology.
Verbatim Quotes
> “We feel that this gets us into a position to clarify and provide certainty to our election officials and to our electorate,” — Max Burns, Republican state senator, co-author of the legislation
What’s Next
The Senate will vote on the extension bill on Saturday. If passed, the nine-member committee will convene, hold hearings, and deliver its report by the end of January 2027. Lawmakers will then deliberate on funding and procurement decisions ahead of the 2028 election.
