Board urges state to delay QR-code ballot-tabulation change by one year

The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections voted to approve a resolution urging the Georgia General Assembly to amend the effective date of OCGA 21-2-379.23(d), which governs official tabulation of ballot scanners, moving the date from July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027 to allow more time for counties to transition.

Chair Raffel read the resolution aloud, citing concerns that the ballot-marking devices currently certified and deployed in the county are not configured to tabulate absent QR codes and that removing such codes would void current certification. The resolution cites testimony from the Georgia Association of Voter Registration and Elections Officials that a transition away from QR-based tabulation requires significant time, technology procurement and training.

"OCGA 21-2-379.23(d) provides that effective 07/01/2026 the official tabulation count of any ballot scanner shall be based on a text portion of the machine mark... and not any machine coding," the chair read as part of the resolution. The board approved the resolution by voice vote; one member recorded an abstention.

The chair said the board will share the resolution with the county's legislative delegation and with colleagues across the state as a formal statement of concern and a request for a one-year shift in the statutory effective date.

The resolution does not change local operations but documents the board's position on state-level timing for a significant equipment and process change and asks lawmakers to postpone the deadline to allow accurate, efficient implementation.