government
Lawmakers go home after postponing changes to election system
By Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat at Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods)
· June 24, 2026
· 1 min read
Georgians should continue voting with the same machines they have been using for years until a new system can be acquired in 2028, lawmakers decided before ending their special session Tuesday.
In largely partisan votes by the state House and Senate, Republicans approved a measure that delays ...
Key takeaway In largely partisan votes by the state House and Senate, Republicans approved a measure that delays ...
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The decision to delay changes to Georgia's election system until 2028 will have a direct impact on Fulton County voters, who will continue to use the same voting machines for the next few years. Local election directors had warned that switching to a new system before the November midterms would be impractical, and this decision acknowledges those concerns. The establishment of a committee to recommend standards for the next voting system based on hand-marked paper ballots is a step towards addressing the criticisms of the current system's vulnerability to hacking and error. However, the requirement for hand recounts of top-of-the-ballot races with tiny margins may still pose challenges for local election officials, who will need to balance the need for accuracy with the potential for delays and disputes. As the 2028 deadline approaches, Atlanta voters will be watching to see how the state implements these changes and whether they will lead to more confidence in the election 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 24, 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? Georgians should continue voting with the same machines they have been using for years until a new system can be acquired in 2028, lawmakers decided before ending their special session Tuesday.
In largely partisan votes by the state House and Senate, Republicans approved a measure that delays ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by Rough Draft Atlanta (intown neighborhoods) and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Ty Tagami | Capitol Beat 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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