government
Bill extending Georgia’s ballot QR code deadline clears Senate in a Saturday vote
By Maya Homan | Georgia Recorder at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods)
· June 21, 2026
· 1 min read
A bill aimed at addressing a looming deadline to remove QR codes from Georgia’s ballots passed the Senate along party lines after a short but contentious debate Saturday.
The measure, which is sponsored by Sylvania Republican Sen. Max Burns, extends the state’s deadline to stop counting ballot...
Key takeaway The measure, which is sponsored by Sylvania Republican Sen.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
For Atlanta residents, the bill's passage has significant implications, particularly given the city's reliance on the Atlanta Public Schools district and its own city government. The extension of the deadline to remove QR codes from Georgia's ballots until 2028 may provide temporary relief for local election officials, but it also means that the city's voters will continue to use ballot-marking devices that rely on this technology. The requirement for hand recounts of top-ticket races in every election could lead to delays in certification, potentially affecting the city's ability to promptly finalize election results. Additionally, the lack of funding to update equipment to count elections without QR codes, estimated at $66 million, may strain the city's resources and impact its ability to conduct efficient and secure elections. As the bill moves forward, Atlanta residents should pay close attention to how these changes will be implemented and how they will affect the city's electoral process.
About this story
Original reporting by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 21, 2026 ·
Source: Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A bill aimed at addressing a looming deadline to remove QR codes from Georgia’s ballots passed the Senate along party lines after a short but contentious debate Saturday.
The measure, which is sponsored by Sylvania Republican Sen. Max Burns, extends the state’s deadline to stop counting ballot...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 21, 2026 by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Maya Homan | Georgia Recorder at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods). To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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