Georgia election officials left in limbo as state leaders contemplate next steps for ballot QR codes

It’s rare to see any sort of consensus when it comes to elections and voting in Georgia politics. 

But on the subject of how elections across the state will be run this upcoming November, elected officials, advocates and elections workers alike will agree on one thing: Right now, there doesn’t seem to be a clear answer.

In April, lawmakers adjourned for the year without addressing a longstanding issue over how elections should be counted. Under a 2024 law, QR codes can no longer be used to count ballots after July 1, but state legislators never set aside funding for the change. A proposal to extend the deadline for removing QR codes died on the final day of the legislative session, leaving the next steps uncertain.

Special session of the Georgia legislature could be called

Gov. Brian Kemp could call lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session to address the issue, but doing so could potentially interfere with sitting lawmakers’ ability to fundraise for the May primary election or November general election. State law prohibits legislators from raising campaign money during a legislative session.