AP reported that Georgia's statewide voting system prints a human-readable ballot summary and a QR code that scanners use to tally votes. The 2024 law, SB 189, changed Georgia Code Section 21-2-379.23 to say the official tabulation count of a ballot scanner must be based on the text selection and must not use a QR code, bar code or similar coding.
The governor's proclamation said the General Assembly was being convened to address issues created by the 1 July 2026 effective date for SB 189's changes to that code section. Capitol Beat News Service reported that Kemp's order brought lawmakers back on 17 June to consider both the QR-code voting issue and redistricting questions after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.
The amended proclamation keeps the agenda tied to election administration rather than reopening the whole elections code. That matters because a special session is limited by the governor's call: lawmakers can address the listed subjects, but the call does not by itself resolve which tabulation method counties should use after 1 July.
Table: Official-record timeline
| Date | Event | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Georgia enacted SB 189, including the change requiring scanner tabulation from human-readable selections rather than QR or bar coding | Georgia General Assembly bill text |
| 13 May 2026 | Governor Brian Kemp called a June special session and cited the 1 July effective date for SB 189's ballot-tabulation change | Governor's proclamation |
| 17 June 2026 | Special session scheduled to begin | Governor's proclamation and Capitol Beat |
| 1 July 2026 | SB 189 tabulation change takes effect unless lawmakers alter the deadline or implementation path | SB 189 and governor's proclamation |
Source: Georgia SB 189, Governor Kemp proclamation, AP and ACLU of Georgia.
The issue is administrative rather than a finding of fraud. AP reported that the secretary of state's office and the State Election Board had issued conflicting guidance to counties over how to run elections under the approaching deadline. The practical question for counties is whether they can comply with the law, keep voting accessible and avoid litigation before upcoming elections.