State commission votes to recommend voting system updates

ATLANTA (FOX 5 Atlanta) - A state commission voted Thursday to recommend the Georgia legislature procure a new voting system ahead of the 2020 election cycle.

The Secure, Accessible and Fair Elections (SAFE) Commission approved recommendations that include purchasing new electronic voting machines that will print a paper "receipt" for voters to verify their selections. 

"The machines right now are 16 years old," explained Secretary of State-Elect Brad Raffensperger.  "So, if you look at it from just age alone, we need to update to something that's secure."

Three members of the panel, however, voted against adopting the recommendations over concerns about accuracy. 

"Even though you vote within the machine, there's no guarantee that that print out is exactly what you voted for," said State Representative James Beverly, D-Macon.  "The average voter won't go through an 8-page ballot."

The commission's recommendations now go to the Georgia General Assembly where members will ultimately decide what type of system to implement.