Could the Legislature be back for a second session this year? An 'irreconcilable' deadline looms

Georgia lawmakers wrapped up the 2026 legislative session last week. But they could be back again for a second session this year. 

Existing voting machines print ballots with a QR code that scanners use to tally votes. A 2024 law requires removal of those QR codes by July 2026.

But the Legislature has failed to pass any bills to fund an alternative for QR codes on ballots or to push back the July 1 removal deadline ahead of the November election.

There is no plan in place for an alternative. Lawmakers say the legislature could go to a special session to find a solution, or the conflict between the 2024 law and the current system could result in a lawsuit or hand-marked and hand-counted paper ballots in November. 

Rep. Victor Anderson sponsored a bill during the past session that would’ve extended the removal deadline, but it did not reach a final vote. 

“We’ll have an irreconcilable statutory conflict come July 1 if we don’t resolve it," he said. 

Gov. Brian kemp would need to call the special session. A spokesperson for Kemp said that the governor is still reviewing bills that passed, and the consequences of those that did not.