Georgia House approves new electronic voting machines
ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia House lawmakers approved using new electronic touchscreen voting machines that print a paper ballot by 2020, a big step toward replacing an outdated system that offered no verifiable paper trail.
The proposal disregards cybersecurity experts who say hand-marked paper ballots are more secure.
RELATED: Georgia House committee approves electronic voting machine legislation
The bill passed Tuesday, largely along partisan lines with Republicans in support. It now awaits Senate consideration.
The vote comes months after a contentious race for governor between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp, who won.
The proposed system would include touchscreens where voters make their selections, then print a paper ballot that's counted after being scanned.
Republican Rep. Barry Fleming says it's the only system that won't force disabled voters to use a different method.
Democrats say the system can't be meaningfully audited and will further erode voter confidence.