Georgia's vote-counting method will soon be banned. Lawmakers will try to find a fix this week

Key Points:

• Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has called a special legislative session to address issues related to the state's election law, particularly concerning the use of QR codes in vote tabulation, with a looming July 1 deadline that risks causing confusion and litigation ahead of a special U.S. House election.
• Conflicting guidance has been issued by the secretary of state's office and the State Election Board regarding vote counting procedures, with the secretary advocating continued use of touchscreen machines and QR code scanning, while the Election Board recommends hand-marked paper ballots if the deadline is not extended.
• The election board, controlled by a Trump-aligned majority, often clashes with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, complicating clear directives for county election officials who are currently awaiting further clarification amid the conflicting instructions.
• Local election officials, such as those in Henry County, are cautious and seeking additional guidance to ensure compliance and best practices, while some candidates in the upcoming special election express concern about potential legal challenges if new vote-counting methods are rushed without adequate preparation.
• The controversy traces back to post-2020 election claims by former President Trump and supporters about touchscreen voting machines, leading to legislative attempts to ban QR codes by 2026, though no compliance measures have been implemented, intensifying urgency as midterm elections approach.