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ATLANTA – In a significant move, a coalition of civil rights and voting advocacy groups is urging Governor Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to scrutinize and address issues surrounding a newly enacted elections law in Georgia.
This appeal is spearheaded by prominent organizations such as the ACLU of Georgia and All Voting is Local, who assert that immediate legislative action is critical as a key deadline approaches on July 1.
Central to their concerns is Senate Bill 189, legislation that will prohibit the use of QR codes for vote tabulation starting July 1, 2026. The advocacy groups are pressing for a delay in the law’s implementation until February 2027. They argue this extension is essential for counties to adequately test and install alternative voting systems.
Christopher Bruce, the policy director at the ACLU of Georgia, highlights apprehensions regarding the counting of ballots under the proposed changes and whether new systems will be operational in time.
“There are issues with QR codes and the use of hand-counted paper ballots,” Bruce explained. “Ensuring ballots are accurately counted by computers and counters is vital for maintaining proper voter access.”
Advocates argue that lawmakers failed to address what they describe as looming issues with the state’s voting system before the legislative session ended, potentially putting future elections at risk.
“We have millions of people that vote every year. Human error does happen, not computer error,” Bruce said. “We’ve had strong audits, including after the 2020 election. The system works. There’s no reason to change it.”
The groups warn that a rushed transition away from QR code-based systems could lead to voter confusion, longer wait times, and potential challenges in certifying election results.
They also emphasize that counties are required to administer uniform elections but do not have the authority to independently change voting systems, creating what they describe as an “impossible position” without further state guidance.
Meanwhile, Brad Raffensperger is placing blame on state lawmakers, saying their inaction contributed to the current situation.
It remains unclear whether Gov. Kemp will call a special session to address the issue.