Kemp weighs special session as ballot law deadline looms
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Pressure is building for Gov. Brian Kemp to call a special legislative session to delay a major overhaul of Georgia's voting system before the elections.
Why it matters: Calling lawmakers back is rare, logistically complex and politically fraught — especially this year, as officials face tight election timelines and an expected debate over voting security.
- Kemp must also weigh lawmakers' campaign schedules alongside pending decisions on bills awaiting his signature or veto.
Catch up quick: Two years ago, lawmakers passed a bill requiring the state to stop counting votes using QR codes by July 1.
Yes, but: County and election officials in all of Georgia's 159 counties need more time and funding to prepare for this major transition.
- Lawmakers left town without passing legislation that would have given them breathing room.
State of play: Delaying the switch would likely face opposition from MAGA activists and lawmakers who insist QR codes aren't secure.
How it works: Only Georgia's governor has the constitutional authority to call a special session.
- The governor's proclamation sets and limits the agenda. Legislation must be related to that agenda.
- Special sessions are usually called to redraw political maps every 10 years or resolve a high-stakes budget issue.
What they're saying: The governor has started his budget review and legislative analysis, a Kemp spokesperson told the AJC.
The big picture: Some lawmakers also want to revisit legislation that overhauls property taxes in Georgia, a scaled-back version of Republican House Speaker Jon Burns' proposal.
- State Rep. Scott Holcomb (D-Atlanta) said the property tax bill, the product of a last-minute takeover of a stalled Senate bill to regulate synthetic hemp, was unconstitutional.
In the weeds: Holcomb argued that the property tax measure would raise revenue. Under the Georgia Constitution, bills that raise revenue must originate in the House.
What's next: If Kemp wants to call lawmakers back, he'll have to decide whether to hold the session before the May 19 primaries or a potential late-June runoff.