{"id":2481700,"date":"2025-09-02T21:52:02","date_gmt":"2025-09-03T01:52:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-republicans-call-for-test-of-hand-marked-ballots\/"},"modified":"2025-09-02T21:52:51","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T01:52:51","slug":"georgia-republicans-call-for-test-of-hand-marked-ballots","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/georgia-republicans-call-for-test-of-hand-marked-ballots\/","title":{"rendered":"Georgia Republicans call for test of hand-marked ballots"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fgeorgia-republicans-call-for-test-of-hand-marked-ballots%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2481700&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The article reports that Georgia Republican Representatives Tim Fleming and Victor Anderson have requested a test of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/how-grassroots-groups-can-increase-voter-confidence-in-an-age-of-glitchy-machines\/\" title=\"Empowering Grassroots Efforts to Boost Voter Trust Amid Technology Glitches\">hand-marked ballots<\/a> in upcoming local elections,ahead of the 2026 midterms. They sent a letter to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger urging the implementation of this test during the November 4 Public Service Commission election and the December 5 local election runoff. This initiative follows a 2024 Georgia law that will eliminate the use of QR codes for ballot counting by 2026, effectively requiring reliance on hand-marked ballots.<\/p>\n<p>The request is supported by the Coalition for Good Governance, a nonpartisan group advocating for election security, openness, and verifiability. The Coalition proposes a pilot program primarily using hand-marked ballots to gather important data and ensure a secure transition away from unverifiable voting technologies.<\/p>\n<p>Fleming chairs the House Blue Ribbon Committee on Election Procedures,which is <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >investigating election processes<\/a>,and Anderson serves as vice chairman. John Fervier, chairman of the State Election Board, defended the current system, citing minimal discrepancies in the 2024 presidential election votes and warning that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/colorado-bill-to-mandate-electronic-voting-records-supported-by-soros-backed-secretary-of-state\/\" title=\"Colorado Bill To Mandate Electronic Voting Records Supported By Soros-Backed ... of ...\">hand-counting ballots<\/a> would increase costs and delays. Though, some <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-democrats-look-to-fund-effort-to-elect-local-election-supervisors\/\" title=\"Report: Democrats Look to Fund Effort to Elect Local Election Supervisors\">election board members<\/a>, including Executive Director James Mills and member Janelle King, criticized Fervier and expressed concerns about election fraud and vulnerabilities.<\/p>\n<p>The committee plans to continue its discussions with a scheduled meeting on September 18 at Savannah Technical College. <br \/> <!DOCTYPE html><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Georgia Republicans call for test of hand-marked ballots<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2219527\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/georgia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Georgia<\/a> Reps. Tim Fleming and Victor Anderson are asking for a test of hand-marked <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ballots\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ballots<\/a> ahead of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2026 midterms.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The two sent a letter to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger on Tuesday, asking him to implement the test during the Nov. 4 Public Service Commission election and Dec. 5 runoff for local elections.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3790819\/appeals-court-reinstates-biden-ftc-commissioner-rebecca-slaughter\/\">Appeals court reinstates Biden-appointed FTC commissioner fired by Trump<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3790853\/wisconsin-raw-per-pupil-spending-doubled-since-2000-report\/\">Wisconsin raw per-pupil spending doubled since 2000: Report<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3790696\/shooting-association-sues-colorado-over-new-gun-control-law\/\">Shooting association sues Colorado over new gun control law<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>The Georgia General Assembly passed a law in 2024 that would eliminate the use of QR codes in 2026 for counting ballots, which could force election officials to use only hand-marked ones.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It is evident that the state is at risk of missing this important statutory deadline,&rdquo; Fleming, R-Covington, and Anderson, R-Cornelia, wrote in the letter published by the Georgia Republican Party on social media. &ldquo;For that reason, we believe it is imperative to begin testing viable alternatives to the continued use of QR-coded ballots.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Their request has the backing of the Coalition for Good Governance. The organization is asking state lawmakers to consider a pilot program where hand-marked ballots are primarily used. The Coalition for Good Government identifies itself as a nonpartisan group concerned with constitutional liberties and the individual rights of citizens.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We believe such a pilot program is a timely, prudent and necessary step to address election security and prepare for the state&rsquo;s transition away from unverifiable voting technology,&rdquo; the organization said in a release. &ldquo;As a nonpartisan organization, our primary concern is the security, verifiability, and transparency of the electoral process, and we see this proposed pilot as a crucial opportunity to gather empirical data that will benefit all stakeholders.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Fleming is chairing the House Blue Ribbon Committee on Election Procedures, which is holding a series of meetings about the state&rsquo;s elections. He is also a candidate for secretary of state. Anderson is vice chairman.<\/p>\n<p>John Fervier, chairman of the State Election Board, told the committee on Thursday that out of more than 5 million votes cast in the 2024 presidential election, only 87 had discrepancies and 86 of those were on hand-marked ballots. Hand-counting ballots would cost the state significantly more and cause delays, he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Georgia has fair, free and honest elections and its because of the hard work and dedication of all the election workers in Georgia,&rdquo; Fervier said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s also because all the laws passed by the General Assembly and implemented by the secretary of state and local officials. They&rsquo;re fair, reasonable and they make sense.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>But the board has not always agreed with Fervier, nor does the board&rsquo;s new executive director.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I&rsquo;ve never served under a more dishonest, dysfunctional chairman than Chairman John Fervier,&rdquo; Executive Director James Mills told the committee. &ldquo;I take no joy in saying any of it. It grieves me.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Board member Janelle King disagreed with Fervier&rsquo;s assessment of the elections.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We clearly have hundreds of cases of election fraud, improprieties, vulnerabilities, the list goes on and on,&rdquo; King said.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/3787405\/kemp-gop-donors-leaked-audio-avoid-two-congressmen-ossoff\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">KEMP TELLS GOP DONORS TO AVOID TWO CONGRESSMEN IN BID TO BEAT OSSOFF<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>King has been scrutinized for serving on the board while her husband, Kelvin King, is also a candidate for secretary of state.<\/p>\n<p>The committee&rsquo;s next meeting is Sept. 18 at Savannah Technical College.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Georgia GOP urges trial of hand-marked ballots before 2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2481701,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25174720017026.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[32644,4977,37277,3756],"class_list":["post-2481700","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-election-integrity","tag-georgia","tag-hand-marked-ballots","tag-republicans"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/AP25174720017026.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2481700"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2481704,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2481700\/revisions\/2481704"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2481701"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2481700"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2481700"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2481700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}