ATLANTA (AP) — It looked like Republicans were set to eliminate Georgia’s touchscreen voting machines. However, the path to change is more complicated than anticipated. Despite increasing influence from election deniers, voters will likely still use machines from Dominion Voting Systems this November. These machines print paper ballots with a QR code for counting votes.
The former president and his supporters claim these machines deleted or altered votes in 2020, yet they have no evidence to back this up. After Dominion settled defamation lawsuits for significant amounts, a federal judge blocked an executive order banning QR codes in ballots.
Georgia Republicans face challenges. Two years ago, they passed a law to remove QR codes by July 1 this year to build trust in the voting process. Many people are uneasy with ballots counted by machines. However, legislators and election officials couldn’t agree on next steps—or secure funding.
Amid this turmoil, some Republicans see a pressing need for change. “I will not be moved. I shall not be moved,” asserted State Election Board member Salleigh Grubbs. Activists have been vocal against QR codes, especially after vulnerabilities in the machines were exposed online. Although Dominion issued patches, funding for updates was not allocated.
Some proposed solutions included drastic changes, like hand-counting all in-person ballots before Election Day. This would have drastically slowed the voting process. Consensus is forming around hand-marked paper ballots as a preferred option.
During a recent committee hearing, Republican Rep. Victor Anderson expressed concerns that switching systems this year could disrupt elections. “It just wasn’t going to happen,” he said. His committee now aims to adopt a new voting system by 2028, with funding promised for the state’s counties.
Some lawmakers and local election officials applaud a delay, believing it will lead to a smoother process. “This is setting us up for success and not failure,” said Deidre Holden, election director in Paulding County.
Yet, the bill still faces hurdles before becoming law. The full House and Senate must approve it, and there are differing opinions on how to manage post-election audits. While some Republicans hope to seize control over these audits, Democrats warn against potential bias.
This situation is reflective of wider concerns about trust in the electoral system, which continues to be a topic of heated discussion in the U.S. A recent poll indicated a growing number of Americans are concerned about voting integrity, illuminating the stakes involved.
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