Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for January 23, 2026

On January 23, 1775, the Georgia Commons House elected three delegates to the Second Continental Congress.

On January 23, 1861, Georgia’s members of the United States House of Representatives resigned following passage of the Secession Ordinance; her Senators had resigned earlier. The next day, the secession convention in Milledgeville elected ten delegates to a conference of Southern states in Montgomery, Alabama.

On January 24, 1915, the first transcontinental telephone call was placed from Jekyll Island, Georgia.

On January 25, 1915, a charter was issued in DeKalb County Superior Court to Emory University.

On January 23, 1923, Georgia ratified the Twentieth Amendment to the US Constitution, which ended Presidential terms on January 20th following an election and those of Congress to January 3d.

January 24, 1933 saw the first sales tax in Georgia proposed to fund schools and aid for farmers.

On January 25, 1943, Georgia Gov. Ellis Arnall signed legislation eliminating the governor as an ex officio member of the State Board of Education, State Board of Regents, Department of Public Safety, and State Housing Authority, as part of a proposal to reduce the Governor’s power over education.

On January 24, 1960, Martin Luther King, Jr. became co-pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, sharing the pulpit with his father.

On January 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy held the first live televised press conference.

On January 23, 1973, President Richard M. Nixon announced that terms had been reached to settle the Vietnam War, a document known as the “Paris Peace Accords.”

On January 24, 1987, some 12,000 to 20,000 civil rights protesters marched in Forsyth County, a week after a smaller protest. From the New York Times reporting:

CUMMING, Ga., Jan. 24— This small town in Forsyth County was overwhelmed today by civil rights marchers, members of the Ku Klux Klan and their sympathizers and an army of National Guardsmen and law-enforcement officers who kept the opposing groups separated.

Guarded by what a spokesman for the Governor’s office called ”the greatest show of force the state has ever marshalled,” a crowd of marchers estimated at 12,000 to 20,000 funneled slowly into Cumming, where a week earlier counterdemonstrators, throwing stones and bottles, disrupted an interracial ”walk for brotherhood” prompted by the all-white county’s racist legacy.

As the marchers headed into Cumming, which has a little more than 2,000 people, they found waiting for them, behind a stern-faced force of 2,300 guardsmen and police officers, a group of hundreds if not thousands of white, mainly young, rural men and women, repeatedly shouting, “N[*****], go home!”

Whatever the final figure, the march was one of the largest civil rights demonstrations since a 1965 rally that followed a march from Selma, Ala. to Montgomery. The rally, led by Dr. King, drew 25,000 people.

Seriously, read the Times report.

On January 24, 2001, the Georgia House of Representatives approved legislation changing the state flag to the Barnes design with the state seal on a blue background and a banner depicting five previous flags that flew over Georgia.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

State Representative Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro) introduced House Bill 1013, which would designate Lemon Pepper as the official Georgia state chicken wing flavor, according to WJBF.

House Bill 1013, introduced by State Representative Eric Bell (D-Jonesboro) who represents a portion of metro Atlanta, declares the wing flavor is culturally significant to the state of Georgia.

“Lemon pepper wings have become a staple of southern cuisine in Atlanta and across Georgia,” said Rep. Bell. “This is a lighthearted bill, but it carries real meaning. Lemon pepper wings are a fan-favorite that bring people together across race, culture, class and community.”

The bill is co-sponsored by State Representatives Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta), Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton), David Huddleston (R-Roopville) and Mekyah McQueen (D-Smyrna).

“From ‘Lemon Pepper Lou’ at Magic City to lyrics in billboard hits from Gucci Mane and Rick Ross, lemon pepper wings have been central to many of the moments and individuals who have shaped this city and state. Just like the peach represents our agricultural roots, lemon pepper wings represent Georgia’s cultural flavor and global influence.” Rep. Bell explained.

Under HR 998, the Adjournment Resolution that sets the calendar for the General Assembly:

Monday, January 26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . convene for legislative day 6
Tuesday, January 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . convene for legislative day 7
Wednesday, January 28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . convene for legislative day 8
Thursday, January 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . convene for legislative day 9

The House Speaker’s Office released an Inclement Weather Update for January 26, 2026:

As we continue to monitor the potential for significant winter weather over the weekend, Speaker Burns and Majority Leader Efstration provide the following update: The House will convene at 1pm on Monday, January 26th – no legislative business will be conducted on that day.

We will provide additional updates if the weather necessitates further changes to Tuesday’s planned 10am start time. In the meantime, please utilize the below resources from GEMA:

• Visit GEMA/HS’s website here or click the link below for assistance on how to prepare for winter weather
http://gema.georgia.gov/winter

• Follow GEMA/HS social media pages for live updates
Instagram – @georgiaemahs
X – @georgiaemahs
Facebook – Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order #01.22.26.01, declaring a State of Emergency through January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM. From a Press Release:

Gov. Kemp Declares State of Emergency, Activates State Operations Center Ahead of Winter Storm

ATLANTA – Governor Brian P. Kemp declared a statewide State of Emergency today ahead of Winter Storm Fern’s impact on the state this weekend. The Governor also directed the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS) to activate the State Operations Center (SOC) and mobilize any needed resources to address any potential needs around the state. The State of Emergency will run through January 29, 2026.

“As forecasts continue to evolve, Georgians should be prepared for freezing precipitation that causes dangerous conditions and the potential for damage and power loss beginning Saturday,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “I have been working closely with state and local officials to ensure we are prepared for all scenarios. The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) will begin treating roadways ahead of the storm’s initial impact, and — along with our emergency management and public safety teams — they will be working around the clock throughout this weather event. I’m urging all Georgians to take necessary precautions now to ensure their families and pets can stay safe, warm, and fed over the coming days.”

The State of Emergency allows for the Georgia Department of Defense to provide up to 500 Georgia National Guard troops, should they be needed for preparation, response, and recovery efforts. Among other provisions, the State of Emergency order also prohibits price gouging; suspends hours-of-service limitations for commercial vehicle operators involved in response activities; and temporarily increases weight, height, and length limits for commercial vehicles transporting essential supplies. Access the full State of Emergency Executive Order here.

Current Weather Forecast:

• A major winter storm is expected to bring significant impacts to parts of Georgia, especially north of I-20, this weekend.
• Much of North Georgia is under a Winter Storm Watch from late Friday night through Monday morning, with the possibility of being upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning or Winter Weather Advisory, and additional counties may be added.
• Chances for wintry precipitation are high across North Georgia throughout the weekend.
• The current expectation is for most of that precipitation to be freezing rain.
• The presence of rain, freezing rain, sleet, or snow will depend on the exact temperature at any given time.
• Precipitation will likely begin in northern Georgia Saturday afternoon and will continue through Sunday evening before temperatures reach the teens and 20s on Monday morning.
• Temperatures will remain very cold through Tuesday, January 27.
• Prolonged freezing temperatures could prevent melting and drying on roads and potentially cause pipes to burst.
• Dangerous travel conditions will be possible beginning Saturday and could continue into Monday and Tuesday.
• Widespread power outages are possible in impacted areas, with gusty winds continuing through Monday.
• Impacts for specific locations will continue to be refined over the next few days as forecast confidence improves.
• As always, stay tuned to forecast updates from your local National Weather Service office and reliable media outlets.

State Action and Preparation:

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) is actively staging crews and equipment to respond to the current winter weather threat. They will soon begin brining operations to pre-treat interstates, state routes, bridges, and overpasses in needed areas of the state. Crews will prioritize keeping high-traffic routes passable for emergency vehicles and first responders, as well as areas providing access to hospitals and urgent care centers. Residents are urged to avoid travel in the most impacted areas whenever possible this weekend. For those who must travel, GDOT advises motorists to exercise caution and provide ample space for crews to safely continue treating and clearing roads to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division has partnered with GDOT to escort brining details. Department of Public Safety (DPS) Troopers and Officers will be on standby across the state for any service calls regarding the winter weather and other needs, with specific response teams stationed in areas most affected by the storm.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Forestry Commission, and Department of Agriculture have response teams and chainsaw crews at the ready for any requests to clear road debris, public safety assistance, and other critical needs. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will identify debris staging areas and ensure storm debris is properly handled, stored, and disposed of during the severe weather event. EPD is also prepared to support critical infrastructure, including drinking water, wastewater systems, and safe dams.

Winter Weather Preparedness Guidance:

Residents should check with their local officials for information about warming centers and comfort station locations. State parks with warming centers can be found here. More tips are as follows:

• Use electric space heaters with automatic shut-off switches.
• Keep heat sources at least three feet away from furniture and drapes.
• Insulate your home and ensure doors and windows are sealed.
• Check and install a working carbon monoxide detector.
• Have backup heat sources like extra blankets, sleeping bags, or a wood-burning fireplace.
• Check your antifreeze, brakes, heater, tires, and wipers.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full.
• Carry an emergency Ready kit with items like a portable phone charger, ice scraper, extra blanket, sand for traction, and jumper cables.
• Use generators outdoors and at least 20 feet from doors, windows, or vents to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Allow pipes to drip or insulate them to prevent freezing.
• Keep pets indoors and check on elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors.

From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Valdosta Daily Times:

Gov. Brian Kemp announced a state of emergency for all Georgia counties Thursday ahead of a winter storm expected to dump snow and sleet onto the northern third of the state starting Saturday, potentially encasing the land in a layer of ice.

In an online briefing from Belgium Thursday, where he was traveling to promote trade, Kemp outlined state preparations for a wintry mix that could slicken roads and pull down power lines, darkening homes for days if temperatures remain as cold as predicted.

The governor said he had called up 500 National Guardsmen for deployment, if necessary. State agriculture and forestry crews are prepared with chainsaws to clear the way for power crews.

His main message: hunker down for the weekend.

“If you can just stay off the roads, that would be a big favor to us,” he said, noting that state police, utility crews and salt trucks need open roads to do their work.

The latter will begin brining roadways late Friday night or early Saturday morning. The governor placed the danger zone north of Interstate 20.

The National Weather Service has a winter storm watch in place in an east-west line just north of the Atlanta suburbs, dipping south as it moves to the east side of Georgia to take in Athens. The forecast calls for “heavy” mixed precipitation of up to two inches of snow and sleet, with ice accumulations of a quarter to three quarters of an inch.

Major potential impacts include travel disruptions and power outages as ice weighs down power lines and tree limbs that can break and fall on them.

Kemp said a drop in expected temperature of just a degree or two could push the danger line southward.

Josh Lamb, director of the state emergency management agency, advised filling cars with gas and emergency supplies, including snacks and blankets, and to drive cautiously on bridges and overpasses, which tend to ice up faster. But he also encouraged people to stay off the roads.

Lamb said Georgians should prepare their homes by covering pipes, cleaning gutters and stocking a three-day supply of food and water.

Prepare a way to keep cellphones charged while devising a communications backup plan for family members, he said. “Take precautions, don’t panic, and please stay informed and stay off the roads.”

Governor Brian Kemp issued Executive Order #01.22.26.02, suspending State Representative Sharon Henderson (D-Covington) from office until the end of her term or the final disposition of the indictment against her.

From the Covington News:

Per an executive order issued on Thursday evening, Henderson is suspended from office immediately pending the final disposition of her ongoing criminal case or until her term expires, whichever comes first.

Kemp issued the suspension following the appointment of a review commission that examined the case. The commission consisted of  Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr (Republican), District 22 State Senator and House Minority Leader Harold Jones II (Democrat) and District 47 State Representative and Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Georgia House of Representatives Jan Jones (Republican).

The suspension states that the review commission has determined that Henderson’s pending charges do “adversely affect the administration of duties.”

Henderson was indicted in December on two counts of theft of government funds and 10 counts of making false statements. She pleaded not guilty and was released on a $10,000 bond.

Federal prosecutors claim that Henderson, who is in her third term in the House, collected $17,811 in false unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The current District 113 state representative reportedly made claims that she was out of work as a substitute teacher for Henry County Schools due to the pandemic.

But the U.S. Department of Justice says that Henderson had not worked for Henry County Schools since 2018, despite her submitting certifications to receive unemployment benefits and accepting said benefits as recently as 2021.

Two weeks after the indictment, Henderson spoke out publicly about the charges for the first time on her Facebook page via a fundraiser link titled “Justice For State Rep Sharon Henderson.” In the fundraiser, Henderson maintained her innocence.

“I was extremely confused and shocked when I was told by FBI agents that I was being arrested,” Henderson wrote. “All I could think was ‘what could I possibly have done?’ I was baffled. I have never been accused of any wrong doing in my entire life. I’ve never had any legal issues, never been accused of any crime, and I have never been arrested. I am 67 years old. I would never do this or do anything illegal!”

From WRDW:

In a statement Thursday, Henderson’s attorney, Gerald Griggs, released the following statement:

“We fully expect that all proceedings – both criminal and any related political or legislative actions – will afford my client the full measure of due process guaranteed by the United States Constitution, including the Fifth and Sixth Amendments, and by the Constitution of Georgia, Art. I, § 1, ¶ |.

Under longstanding constitutional principles, every individual is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of competent jurisdiction. This matter will be litigated fully and fairly in accordance with the rule of law, where constitutional protections – not political considerations – govern the outcome.

Due process is likewise guaranteed to my client in any associated political or legislative proceedings pursuant to the Georgia Constitution, Art. II, § 3, ¶ |. We intend to invoke and vigorously exercise all rights afforded under these constitutional provisions.”

Henderson’s suspension comes the day after former Rep. Karen Bennett, a Democrat from Stone Mountain, pleaded guilty to alleged pandemic-related fraud.

Former State Rep. Karen Bennett (D- Stone Mountain) pled guilty to federal charges related to COVID-19 fraud, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Gwinnett Daily Post.

Former state Rep. Karen Bennett, D-Stone Mountain, pleaded guilty in federal court to making false statements to fraudulently obtain $13,940 in federal emergency relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.

“Bennett was elected to represent her fellow citizens and took a solemn oath to promote the best interests and prosperity of the State of Georgia,” Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, said in a statement. “Instead, she violated that oath and, during an unprecedented emergency, lied to line her own pockets with taxpayer money intended to help community members in need.”

Bennett submitted weekly certifications for benefits from March through August 2020, claiming she earned only $300 per week from the General Assembly and none from her employer, Metro Therapy Providers, Inc., asserting the company would not let her return to the office.

But prosecutors said she was sole owner of Metro Therapy, doing administrative work from home even before the pandemic and that the business continued to function and generate revenue for her when she was claiming the unemployment funds.

Bennett also concealed a $905 weekly paycheck from her employment at a church, Hertzberg’s office said.

Bennett, 70, resigned from her state House seat at the end of last year, several days before she was charged. Georgia election officials on Wednesday announced a March 10 special election to select a successor.

In another case, state Rep. Sharon Henderson, D-Covington, pleaded not guilty Dec. 8 to theft of government funds, also in connection with COVID-19 relief funding. She was also released on a $10,000 bond and remains in office as Gov. Brian Kemp convenes a panel to assess her fitness to serve.

Police blotter: The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested Ellaville City Manager Donna Lynn McChargue, according to WTVM.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has arrested and charged the city manager of Ellaville with 29 counts of theft by taking.

The GBI began investigating Donna Lynn McChargue, 50, of Ellaville, in October 2025 at the request of the Southwestern District Attorney’s Office. During the investigation, agents found suspicious purchases and withdrawals made by McChargue.

According to the GBI, the amount of money stolen may be anywhere from 400 thousand to One-Million Dollars

McChargue was booked into the Taylor County Jail following her arrest on Wednesday.

Ellaville Mayor Shane Tondee said the city called an emergency meeting at 2:30 p.m. Thursday to discuss McChargue’s future. After a roughly 30-minute executive session with the city council, officials gave McChargue five days to request a public hearing or be terminated.

According to a resolution signed after the executive session, McChargue will continue to receive her benefits until she is terminated, which will only happen if she does not request a public hearing within five days.

McChargue started as a billing clerk in October 2014 and was named city manager on June 22, 2015.

The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Americus at 229-931-2439.

Once the investigation is complete, the case file will be given to the Southwestern Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

Governor Kemp announced five judicial appointments, according to a Press Release.

Today Governor Brian P. Kemp’s office announced the following judicial appointments: Steven Blackerby to the Superior Court of the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Robert W. “Bert” Guy; Kristi Goodwin Connell, to the Superior Court of the Augusta Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the passage of Senate Bill 145; James “Jim” Kiger to the Superior Court of the Douglas Judicial Circuit, filling a vacancy created by the passage of Senate Bill 88; Patrick M. Shepherd to the State Court of Spalding County, filling a vacancy created by the passage of House Bill 798; and Pamela “Pam” Bettis to the State Court of Henry County, filling a vacancy created by the passage of Senate Bill 328.

Steven Blackerby is a partner with the law firm of Brown Readdick in Brunswick, Georgia, where he has practiced for more than 20 years. He regularly handles business, contract, property, and personal-injury disputes, but much of his career has focused on representing local governments and their employees, including matters involving constitutional and civil-rights claims. He serves as City Attorney for St. Mary’s, City Attorney for Kingsland, and County Attorney for Brantley County, advising those entities on a wide range of matters, including zoning, property, contracts, and employment issues. He has also represented other governmental agencies, including local housing authorities and the City of Brunswick’s Urban Redevelopment Agency. In addition to his civil practice, Blackerby represents indigent defendants in federal court and has defended numerous federal criminal cases.

A native of Brunswick, Blackerby earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Emory University, where he was a Robert W. Woodruff Scholar and a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his Juris Doctor with honors from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the editorial board of the Journal of Intellectual Property Law and was a member of both the Federalist Society and the Student Bar Association.

He and his wife, Jennifer, who is a high school teacher at Glynn Academy, live on St. Simons Island with their three children.

Kristi Goodwin Connell currently serves as an assistant district attorney for the Columbia Judicial Circuit, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases for District Attorney Bobby Christine. She has been practicing law in the Augusta area for over 25 years. Before her time as an ADA in the Columbia Judicial Circuit, she was a partner with the Connell Law Firm, where her practice focused on civil, domestic, and criminal defense in Federal, Superior, State, and Magistrate Court. Connell is also a certified civil, domestic, and probate mediator. She began her legal career serving the Augusta Judicial Circuit for 14 years as both an assistant district attorney and chief assistant district attorney.

Connell earned undergraduate degrees in biology and political science from Converse College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She has a Master of Science in health care policy and administration from Mercer University and earned her Juris Doctor from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law.

She and her husband, Scott, live in Augusta with their three sons.

James “Jim” Kiger currently serves as the chief assistant public defender in the Douglas County Public Defender’s Office, where he has practiced for over 28 years. Prior to his service as a public defender, Kiger practiced with a general trial firm in Valdosta, Georgia.

Kiger is an honors graduate of Valdosta State College and received his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia College of Law in 1991.

He and his wife, Brenda, live in Douglasville. They are the parents of two children, Atticus and Barbara.

Patrick M. Shepherd currently serves as the Solicitor General of Spalding County, where he prosecutes misdemeanor cases in the Spalding County State Court. Prior to his election as Solicitor General in 2018, Shepherd was a partner in the firm of Shepherd Law Offices, LLC, where he practiced with his father, Timothy N. Shepherd. In private practice, Shepherd represented clients in a wide range of matters including civil litigation, domestic relations, criminal defense, probate and estate matters and personal injury. Shepherd also served as assistant solicitor in Spalding County from 2016 through 2018.

Shepherd earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Georgia in 2005 and his Juris Doctor from the Mercer University School of Law in 2009. He is a lifelong resident of Spalding County and is active in his community, serving or having served on various boards, including the Griffin-Spalding Sports Hall of Fame, the Griffin-Spalding County Bar Association, the Griffin Exchange Club, and the First Baptist Church Mission Council. Shepherd also leads the First Baptist Church Community Garden.

Shepherd and his wife, Robin, have two daughters and live in Griffin.

Pamela “Pam” Bettis currently serves as Solicitor General of Henry County. She was appointed by Governor Nathan Deal in 2018 and elected in 2020 and 2024. Bettis first began her career as a Henry County Deputy Sheriff in 1990 and then transitioned to the newly formed Henry County Police Department in 1991. She served as a patrol officer, undercover narcotics agent, criminal investigator and eventually obtained a leadership position with Clayton State University Police Department. In 2005, Bettis started her legal career as an Assistant Solicitor General with the Henry County Solicitor’s Office. In 2008, she co-founded the law firm of Bettis & Howard, PC, in McDonough, Georgia.

Bettis graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in 1998, and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2000. She attended Emory University School of Law and obtained her Juris Doctor in 2005. She attended Emory’s School of Law with the assistance of the Supreme Court of Georgia Scholarship.

Bettis is a lifelong resident of Georgia and a 20-year resident of Henry County.

Georgia’s Secretary of State discussed QR Codes in the Joint Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 , according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Valdosta Daily Times.

Georgia legislators and the state’s elections chief lacked a plan Wednesday to stop using computer QR codes for counting ballots before a July 1 deadline.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger told a budget committee that the General Assembly hasn’t provided any money to upgrade Georgia’s voting system, which displays candidates on touchscreens and then prints paper ballots with QR codes containing voters’ choices.

But a state law passed two years ago mandates that QR codes can’t be used to count ballots in elections after July 1, 2026.

Critics of Georgia’s election system say voters can’t verify their votes from unreadable QR codes, which are used for the official vote count.

Lawmakers haven’t yet introduced a bill that would spend money or outline an alternative to the state’s current election technology.

Sen. Blake Tillery, R-Vidalia, suggested that every vote could be counted by hand this November — usually over 4 million ballots in midterm elections.

“If we were able to count all of them, would you not just be able to certify the hand count there and that suffice to meet the Senate bill’s request of not counting the QR code?” Tillery asked Raffensperger.

Raffensperger responded that each ballot can include 16 or 20 races, making it expensive and time-consuming to count each of them by hand. He said he would look into the taxpayer cost of that kind of hand count.

Gov. Brian Kemp’s proposed budget includes $5 million for a statewide hand recount of two races in November, but his spending plan didn’t include money to remove QR codes.

“The General Assembly has not funded a single dollar to upgrade the system. If you do fund that system, we could talk about alternatives,” Raffensperger said.

Raffensperger supported verifying ballots by using text-recognition software to check the results read from QR codes, a method first used after the 2024 election. The text-recognition audit found a nearly identical match to the election night count that relied on QR codes.

Kemp’s budget proposal also includes $1.8 million for a similar kind of vote check after the general election in November.

Hand-counts usually have more discrepancies than machine counts because they rely on humans, but they are another method of verifying results without depending on technology that could be manipulated or misprogrammed.

State representatives studied options for removing QR codes during meetings across the state last year, but they haven’t issued any recommendations. They’re still evaluating how to move forward, said House Governmental Affairs Chair Victor Anderson, R-Cornelia.

“The study committee and the House Governmental Affairs Committee are diligently evaluating legislative options to ensure compliance with the Legislature’s will and to guarantee that Georgia has the most accurate, trustworthy and secure elections possible,” Anderson said.

Lawmakers have until the end of this year’s legislative session in early April to pass a bill to stop using QR codes. Without a new law, voters can’t use Georgia’s current touchscreen voting system for elections later this year.

Several election security organizations are asking legislators to switch to paper ballots filled out by hand. But Raffensperger and election officials say Georgia’s current voting system is safe and accurate.

The Secretary of State also wants to require a “RealID” before voting, according to Atlanta News First via WRDW.

One of the candidates hoping to become Georgia’s next governor is calling on lawmakers to require voters to show a Real ID before casting their ballots.

Touting his record of making “Georgia the safest and most secure place to vote in the country,” Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger said Real ID “is the gold standard in identification.”

“The General Assembly needs to pass this legislation this session to safeguard our elections,” he continued.

Real ID is an enhanced driver’s license or state ID card that complies with the REAL ID Act of 2005. It includes additional security features and verification requirements beyond those required for a standard driver’s license.

Raffensperger is one of four Republicans running for the GOP gubernatorial nomination this fall. Seven Democrats are also running in a state that hasn’t elected a member of their party to the governor’s mansion this century.

A Real ID includes a gold or blue star in the upper right corner to indicate compliance. It requires more documentation to obtain, such as proof of citizenship, Social Security number or residency, among others. It also includes security elements like holograms and microprinting.

Many states, including Georgia, issue Real ID-compliant driver’s licenses and ID cards through the Georgia Department of Driver Services.

The Secretary of State declined a legislative attempt to encourage him to comply with a federal government request for voter records, according to Georgia Recorder.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger is refusing to turn over sensitive personal information from Georgia’s voter rolls to the U.S. Department of Justice in response to the Trump administration’s ongoing legal campaign aimed at forcing state and local officials to disclose voter roll information to the federal government.

But pressure from some lawmakers and other state officials for him to turn over the data is mounting, despite Raffensperger’s repeated claims that doing so would violate state law.

In December, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit arguing that Georgia’s unredacted voter registration list was needed as part of an ongoing investigation into “Georgia’s compliance with federal election law.”

Raffensperger had previously sent Justice Department officials some of the state’s voter registration data, but he argued that state law prohibited his office from divulging the Social Security numbers, full dates of birth and driver’s license numbers of Georgia residents.

In a Wednesday court filing, attorneys for the secretary of state’s office filed a motion requesting that the lawsuit be dismissed, arguing that the Justice Department is exceeding its authority in requesting the records, that it lacks the jurisdiction to sue and that the Macon-based court in which the case was filed was the wrong venue.

“There is no basis to think that Georgia is not complying with those list maintenance requirements,” the state’s motion reads.

The redacted records the state has sent over, the state’s filing continues, “show that Georgia conducts list maintenance to the fullest extent allowed by” federal law.

“The (Department of Justice) does not need Georgia voter (personal identifying information) to ascertain that fact, which makes the lack of the required basis in the demand particularly telling,” the state’s attorneys wrote.

But at least some of Georgia’s state leaders are escalating their efforts to get Raffensperger to turn over the data. During a State Election Board meeting Wednesday, board members voted 3-1 to pass a resolution calling on the secretary of state to transmit the state’s unredacted voter rolls to the Department of Justice by the end of the week. On Thursday, lawmakers on the Senate Ethics Committee voted along party lines to advance a resolution urging the secretary of state to comply with the lawsuit.

“The primary concern of mine is that we are not fully engaging to do this,” said Sen. Randy Robertson, a Cataula Republican who introduced the resolution. “What we are doing is we are spending taxpayers’ resources to fight something that we have not sat down and fully vetted out with the Department of Justice.”

In an op-ed published last week by the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Raffensperger defended his decision not to release the unredacted data and criticised the senators who cosponsored the resolution, saying they were “putting political ambition ahead of common sense and public service.”

“This resolution isn’t about election integrity or clean voter rolls,” Raffensperger wrote. “It’s an obvious attempt to shame, intimidate and smear the secretary of state’s office for doing exactly what the law requires.”

Ethics chair Sen. Sam Watson, a Moultrie Republican, invited Raffensperger to attend the committee hearing to discuss the resolution, but the secretary of state’s general counsel Charlene McGowan declined the invitation, citing an inability to comment on pending litigation.

“I am more than happy to update the committee when this matter is no longer in active litigation,” McGowan wrote. The secretary of state’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Democrats on the committee pushed back against the resolution, arguing that there were no legal grounds to turn over the data.

“We are, with this resolution, asking the secretary of state to violate Georgia law,” said Sen. Nan Orrock, an Atlanta Democrat.

Common Cause, a nonprofit government watchdog group, also cautioned states against turning over sensitive data, arguing that it would make Americans more vulnerable to hackers and foreign adversaries. Common Cause has filed a motion to intervene in the case.

“A national database containing your name, address, driver’s license or Social Security number and other personal information all stored on a federal server would be a gold mine for hackers inside and outside of the country,” said Dan Vicuña, who serves as a senior policy director at Common Cause.

Georgia is among at least 44 states that have received requests from the Justice Department for their complete voter data, according to the Brennan Center for Justice, which is tracking the requests. It is also among the 24 states that the Brennan Center says are currently facing lawsuits for refusing to turn over all the requested data, which includes voters’ names, dates of birth, residential addresses, driver’s license numbers and partial Social Security numbers. In at least two of those states, the lawsuits have been dismissed by federal judges.

In September, the Trump administration confirmed that the Department of Justice is also sharing state voter roll information with the Department of Homeland Security in a search for noncitizens.

The Justice Department has also filed a lawsuit against Fulton County late last year for refusing to turn over voter records from the 2020 election.

The SOS also declined an invitation to speak to the Senate Ethics Committee, according to the AJC.

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger declined to appear before the state Senate Ethics Committee on Thursday amid growing legal and political disputes over the Trump administration’s demands for the state’s voter data.

Instead, secretary of state officials sent a letter to the committee chair saying they would not attend because of ongoing litigation with the U.S. Department of Justice.

“If you and your colleagues wish to weaken the legal protections for Georgia voters’ private information and make millions of Georgians vulnerable to identity theft, you can certainly change the law, but that is not something that the Secretary of State’s office would support,” the secretary of state officials wrote in the letter.