Georgia election board asks DOJ to investigate voting systems ahead of November vote

James Mills, executive director of the Georgia State Election Board, sent a letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin requesting that the Department of Justice review and, if appropriate, investigate Georgia’s voting system, ballot secrecy, record preservation and the sharing of voter registration and motor‑vehicle data with outside organizations.

The request arrives about one month before Election Day in November 2026 and less than two weeks before the state’s early‑voting period begins, raising the prospect of federal involvement in a race that will include high‑profile contests for Senate and governor.

Mills’ letter specifically asks the DOJ to examine the state’s QR‑code tabulation systems, voting software and operating environment, and to consider prohibiting the use of QR‑code tabulation in the upcoming election. He also alleges that Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger restricted access to election records and calls for accountability for any alleged record alterations.

Raffensperger’s office responded by criticizing the timing of the request, saying that “people who are serious about election security don’t inject chaos in the eleventh hour.” The spokesperson noted that Georgia’s 159 election directors are prepared to conduct a free, fair and fast election for all eligible voters.

The move follows years of debate over Georgia’s election integrity, a topic thrust into the national spotlight after the 2020 presidential contest. Both Mills, a Republican, and Raffensperger, also a Republican, have publicly disputed each other’s assessments of the state’s election infrastructure.

Justice Department officials told the Atlanta Journal‑Constitution that any decision on whether to take action will be made independently, based on the facts and the law. No timeline for a potential investigation has been provided.