Current:Home > ContactGeorgia House votes to require watermarks on election ballots -Wealth Nexus Pro
Georgia House votes to require watermarks on election ballots
View
Date:2025-04-13 10:58:25
ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia voters could see a watermark on their ballot beginning in November, a move Republican supporters said would assure citizens that their ballots are authentic.
The House on Wednesday voted 167-1 for House Bill 976, sending it to the Senate for more debate.
“It will bring more confidence from our people who vote, and it’s something we need to restore.” said Rep. Steve Tarvin, a Chickamauga Republican.
Georgia ballots are already printed on special security paper, under a law passed in 2021 after Georgia’s disputed 2020 presidential election. But a laser wand is required to detect the paper. And some Trump supporters continue to pursue claims that ballots in 2020 were forged, especially in Fulton County, despite investigators repeatedly failing to find any.
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger supports the measure, with his chief operating officer, Gabe Sterling, telling a House committee earlier this month that a machine to stamp watermarks on the ballot would cost the state about $100,000, and not increase the current cost to counties of 13 cents per ballot.
“This is a low-cost, high-value measure,” said House Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman John LaHood, a Valdosta Republican.
Sterling said the secretary of state’s office believes the measure is more important for absentee ballots sent through the mail, saying ballots produced in polling places never leave the supervision of poll workers.
The bill would take effect July 1. Counties could use up un-watermarked ballot paper now on hand in March and May elections, Sterling said.
Lawmakers are also considering other election measures. One would require that bar codes be removed from ballots produced by Georgia’s electronic voting system. Opponents say voters can’t be sure the computer codes match the choices printed on their ballots. Raffensperger has said he supports a move to scan “human readable text,” the names printed on ballots, to count votes. But he has said it’s impossible to make such a change before the November presidential election.
Another measure would require two after-election audits of ballots to make sure results matched what machines counted. A third measure would make permanent a program requiring scans of ballots be released for public inspection.
veryGood! (42)
Related
- From family road trips to travel woes: Americans are navigating skyrocketing holiday costs
- Study Pinpoints Links Between Melting Arctic Ice and Summertime Extreme Weather in Europe
- Food packaging containing toxic forever chemicals no longer sold in U.S., FDA says
- Private plane carrying Grammy winner Karol G makes emergency landing in Los Angeles
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- Laiatu Latu, once medically retired from football, now might be NFL draft's best defender
- Gamecocks at top, but where do Caitlin Clark, Iowa rank in top 16 seed predictions?
- Olivia Rodrigo praised by organizations for using tour to fundraise for abortion access
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- Trump appeals judge’s decision to remove his name from Illinois primary ballot
Ranking
- The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
- Oregon nurse replaced patient's fentanyl drip with tap water, wrongful death lawsuit alleges
- Ex-NFL star Adrian Peterson's trophy auction suspended amid legal battle
- Delaware judge cites ‘evil’ and ‘extreme cruelty’ in sentencing couple for torturing their sons
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Iowa star Caitlin Clark declares for WNBA draft, will skip final season of college eligibility
- Paramedic convictions in Elijah McClain’s death spur changes for patients in police custody
- Man arrested in El Cajon, California dental office shooting that killed 1, hurt 2: Police
Recommendation
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
Florida girl still missing after mother's boyfriend arrested for disturbing images
Silence of the glams: How the Oscars (usually) snubs horror movies
Son of Blue Jays pitcher Erik Swanson released from ICU after he was hit by vehicle
Nevada attorney general revives 2020 fake electors case
Family of Cuban dissident who died in mysterious car crash sues accused American diplomat-turned-spy
Teen charged with killing 2 people after shooting in small Alaska community of Point Hope
Philadelphia Phillies toss popular 'Dollar Dog Night' promotion over unruly fan behavior