Georgia Election Board Advances Hand-Marked Ballot Resolution Despite State Opposition
Georgia’s State Election Board defies secretary of state guidance by advancing hand-marked ballot resolution with July deadline looming.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA — Georgia’s State Election Board passed a resolution Thursday to implement hand-marked paper ballots ahead of the November 2026 general election, opposing guidelines from the secretary of state’s office that direct counties to continue using the state’s current voting machines.
The non-binding resolution was introduced by newly-appointed Vice Chair Janelle King and passed in a 3-1 vote. The board also approved interim guidelines to be sent to counties regarding the potential ballot change.
QR Code Deadline Drives Resolution
King said the resolution would allow county election workers to switch to hand-marked paper ballots if the state Legislature fails to address an upcoming deadline affecting Georgia’s current election system. The state’s voting machines currently rely on ballot QR codes to count votes, but under Senate Bill 189, which passed in 2024, QR codes cannot be used for the official ballot count after July 1.
The State Election Board has repeatedly advocated for Georgia to abandon its current voting system in favor of hand-marked paper ballots. This latest resolution represents another step in that ongoing campaign despite opposition from state election officials.
Special Session Called to Address Changes
Governor Brian Kemp has called a special legislative session to address multiple issues including ballot QR codes, redistricting, and local tax referendums. The session comes as counties face uncertainty about how to conduct elections if the QR code system is eliminated without a replacement.
The current voting system has been a point of contention, with the State Election Board arguing for simpler hand-marked ballots while the secretary of state’s office has maintained that counties should continue using existing voting machines.
Board Member Resignation
The vote comes amid changes to the board composition. State Election Board member Janice Johnston announced her resignation from the board Thursday, though details about her departure were not immediately available.
The resolution’s passage sets up a potential conflict between county election officials, who must decide whether to follow the State Election Board’s guidance or the secretary of state’s directives as the July 1 deadline approaches.
With the November 2026 general election approaching, the dispute over voting methods adds uncertainty to election preparations across Georgia’s 159 counties. The outcome of the special legislative session will likely determine which voting system counties will use for the fall elections.
