Georgia faces pressure to switch from QR-code ballots to secure hand-marked ones by July 2026, amid training and funding concerns.

Georgia lawmakers are under pressure to speed up the transition from its current voting system, which uses QR codes on printed ballots, to a new method set to take effect July 1. Local election officials warn they need months to train staff and that switching to paper ballots could raise property taxes. Professor Philip Stark of UC Berkeley advocates for hand-marked ballots scanned optically and hand-counted for accuracy and security, citing vulnerabilities in the current system. The state’s voting process is under review by a House committee, with concerns about funding, training, and clear implementation timelines. The next hearing is scheduled for October 2.