When the Trump Administration issued its executive order, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections” (read more in our blog), we received a lot of questions about where and how QR codes and barcodes are used in elections. We’re excited to share two new resources:Â
NEW map on our Verifier tool:This interactive map allows you to easily find if your jurisdiction uses machines that encode votes in QR codes or barcodes. It’s crucial information for understanding how your ballot may be counted.
Why is this important?We released a new explainer, Decoding your ballot: The role of QR codes and barcodes. This guide delves into why QR codes and barcodes are sometimes printed on ballots, and the potential security risks associated with encoding votes
Key facts:
QR codes and barcodes are machine-readable codes that contain information, but are not human-readable
Encoding votes is neither necessary nor desirable, but alternatives exist
Votes should be counted from human-readable marks or text that voters can verify
Our collection of meticulous research is foundational—not only to our work but to other pro-democracy advocates who rely on it—and we need your help sustaining our efforts. Tools like the Verifier, Voting Equipment Database, and Audit and Recount Law Databases are indispensable to help ensure vital election-related information remains publicly available.  Please consider a donation to support our fact-based research and data collection efforts today.
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With thanks,
Megan Maier, Deputy Director of Research and Partnerships
