hand recounts
Coverage of hand recounts in the Nexus archive.
- Ballot QR code bill headed to governor after Georgia lawmakers scale back hand-counting requirement
Georgia lawmakers revised a bill to limit hand recounts to the governor or lieutenant governor’s race when the margin is within half a percent, while extending the use of ballot QR codes until 2028. The bill also mandates post-election audits and a committee to select the state’s next voting system, with some provisions favoring hand-marked paper ballots over current machine systems.
- Georgia’s QR codes for counting votes will remain for midterms after lawmakers vote to delay a fix
Georgia will retain its QR code-based vote-counting system for the 2022 midterms after lawmakers delayed a fix until 2028. The legislation limits hand recounts to eight statewide races with margins within 0.5%, excluding U.S. Senate and House contests. Republican lawmakers supported the delay, while Democrats argued it risks election integrity and could sow doubt in results.
- Bill extending Georgia’s ballot QR code deadline clears Senate in a Saturday vote
A bill extending Georgia’s deadline to stop using QR codes on ballots to 2028 passed the Senate after partisan debate. The measure, sponsored by Sen. Max Burns, mandates hand recounts for top races, establishes a voting system selection committee, and requires additional post-election audits. Democrats opposed the bill, arguing it could delay certification and fuel election disputes.