Georgia Panel Advocates Transition to Hand-Marked Ballots for Elections

A special legislative committee in Georgia has put forward a recommendation for a gradual shift to hand-marked paper ballots in upcoming elections. This decision follows extensive hearings conducted throughout 2025, aimed at assessing the current state of the voting process. The committee, chaired by Rep. Tim Fleming, a Republican from Covington, suggested on February 3, 2026, that hand-marked ballots be implemented during the general elections scheduled for November.

The committee’s report presents a notable provision regarding QR codes, which are still proposed to be included on the ballots. Critics have raised concerns about the security implications of QR codes, as only counting machines can interpret them, leaving voters with no means to verify their votes. The report emphasizes the importance of transparency, stating, “The legislation should require all ballots that contain a QR code of any kind to be hand-counted for the purposes of official tabulation.” This indicates that QR code ballots would only be used for unofficial results.

In addition to advocating for hand-marked ballots, the committee urged the Georgia General Assembly to allocate funds in the fiscal year 2027 budget for purchasing a new voting system. This recommendation highlights ongoing concerns regarding the reliability of current voting technologies.

The committee also recommended maintaining its operations through the end of 2026, a suggestion that has drawn criticism from Kelvin King, another candidate for the position of secretary of state. King, whose wife, Janelle King, serves on the state election board, voiced concerns about the integrity of the current voting machines. He argued that the existing systems are insecure and require urgent reform.

Current Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger has publicly defended the integrity of Georgia’s voting system. His office has faced scrutiny following controversies surrounding voting technology, particularly involving Dominion Voting Systems. The company has engaged in legal battles, securing hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements related to false claims that its machines contributed to a rigged outcome in the 2020 presidential election.

As Georgia prepares for the upcoming elections, the discussions surrounding voting methods and technology remain at the forefront of political dialogue. The proposed transition to hand-marked ballots aims to enhance voter confidence and ensure a more transparent electoral process. The committee’s recommendations will require further legislative action and public discourse as stakeholders navigate the complexities of election integrity and security.