Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp signed legislation on June 25, 2026, delaying the implementation of a state law banning the use of QR codes and other machine coding in ballot tabulation. The new law, Senate Bill 3EX, establishes a 2028 deadline to eliminate the use of QR codes for ballot tabulation in Georgia and outlines new election equipment standards and automatic recount rules.

In 2024, Georgia lawmakers enacted a bill prohibiting the use of QR codes, bar codes, or other machine coding in ballot tabulation, with an effective date of July 1, 2026. Georgia currently uses voting machines that print QR codes on ballots to count votes. Governor Kemp called a special session in May 2026 to postpone the implementation of the QR code prohibition and to consider congressional redistricting, though legislators stated they would not take up congressional redistricting during that session.

Senate Bill 3EX requires a committee to recommend standards for new election equipment in Georgia. It also mandates automatic hand recounts in any statewide executive races listed first or second on the ballot that are decided by less than 0.5% of the vote. Georgia is the 29th state to require automatic recounts in at least some races.

The final version of Senate Bill 3EX passed the Georgia state House 94-79 on June 23, 2026. In that vote, 93 Republicans and one Democrat voted in favor, while three Republicans and 76 Democrats voted in opposition. The Georgia state Senate agreed to the amended version of Senate Bill 3EX 36-16 on the same day.

In the Georgia state Senate vote, 32 Republicans and four Democrats voted in favor, with 16 Democrats voting in opposition. Georgia state Sen. Max Burns spoke on the Senate floor, stating the bill "ensures that Georgia moves forward, that our elections are safe and secure, that we are prepared for not only 2026 elections but also for '27 and '28 and beyond."

Conversely, Georgia state Rep. Debra Bazemore stated in the state House that the "question is whether the bill actually improves election integrity or whether it creates a new opportunity to cast doubt on legitimate election results. I believe it does the latter." Senate Bill 3EX is the ninth election-related bill enacted in Georgia in 2026, and it was the only elections bill enacted during the May 2026 special session.

Why It Matters

This legislation postpones a previously enacted ban on QR codes in ballot tabulation, impacting the timeline for election equipment changes in Georgia. The bill also introduces new requirements for election equipment standards and automatic recounts in close statewide executive races, which could affect election administration processes and outcomes. The split votes along party lines in both the House and Senate indicate differing views on the bill's impact on election integrity within the state.