(The Center Square) – The question of how ballots would be counted in Georgia’s elections was answered Tuesday with a bill that delays a QR code ban on ballot counting and begins the process of seeking a new voting system.
Senate Bill 3EX was not popular with everyone, but it does provide election officials with guidance for an upcoming special election and the November general election by delaying the QR code ban until January 2028.
Georgians will continue to vote on touchscreens, which are opposed by some groups.
During the vote, Democrats had different issues with the bill. One was the formation of a committee to find a replacement for the controversial Dominion system.
The Election Equipment Specifications and Standards Committee, as included in the legislation, will consist of nine members. Three will be appointed by the governor, three by House Speaker Jon Burns, and three by the Senate Committee on Assignments, a five-member panel currently chaired by outgoing Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. All three are Republicans.
Acworth Republican Sen. Ed Setzler sided with Democrats in an amendment that would require a Democratic appointment.
“I believe that all perspectives are meaningful in making this decision,” Setzler said.
The amendment failed.
Atlanta Democrat Josh McLaurin sided with Republicans in voting for the final version of the bill, despite his party’s objections about a mandatory hand recount of the state’s top two races if the margin is less than 0.5%.
“It’s time to do what we came here to do and not get chucked up by partisan infighting of any kind,” said McLaurin, who is running for lieutenant governor.
Democrat RaShaun Kemp, also of Atlanta, disagreed.
“I cannot support a bill that we already know has incorrect language in it, and so I will not be a part of the feud,” Kemp said.
The bill now goes to the governor for his signature.
The Senate vote on the bill was the last action taken during the special session.
The only measure both parties agreed on was a rubber-stamp of a two-week motor fuel tax moratorium, issued as a state of emergency by Gov. Brian Kemp in May.
Kemp asked lawmakers to redraw congressional districts for 2028, something that other states have already done for the November elections.
Republicans decided against it.
“Change to Georgia’s maps should take place only when members of the General Assembly and citizens have been given ample opportunity to gather the facts, provide input and engage in meaningful discussion,” Burns said. “For this reason, we will not be taking up congressional or legislative redistricting for the 2028 election cycle during this special session.”
Kemp also added a series of local bills that would have allowed cities and counties to ask voters to approve a one-penny sales tax. Proceeds from the tax would be earmarked for property tax relief.
Democrats voted against every sales tax measure, calling it another tax on Georgia’s working and lower classes.
“You will pay more for daily essentials at the cash register to subsidize a property tax break for wealthy landowners,” Georgia Senate Democrats said in a social media post. “It’s a direct wealth transfer from the poor to the rich.”
