Georgia voters watch their ballots mysteriously switch

Georgia voters watch their ballots mysteriously switch Video Video

Savannah, GA - On September 17, a federal judge will hear attorneys' arguments in the Georgia paper ballot lawsuit. News 3 talked to the candidates for Congressional District 1 and both agree secure elections are important for democracy, even if it costs some money.

Georgia and four other states do not use paper ballots as a backup for electronic voting machines. In Washington, a group of bi-partisan lawmakers are banding to mandate the extra security measure across the nation. But right now, the Secretary of State, Brian Kemp is facing a federal lawsuit because he's reluctant to make the change before the upcoming November 6 election. While Kemp says he does agree the system needs updating, he's fighting to delay it citing confusion and cost.

Representative Buddy Carter/(R) Georgia 1st District says voter security is not about money, "I don't think there's any question that we need to spend a little bit of extra to make sure we have safe and secure elections."

In 2017, an investigation into the current system which uses 15 year old voting kiosks, was determined in serious jeopardy. But nothing was done. Instead, several databases with vital information was missing that could've assisted in the remedy.

Democrat candidate Lisa Ring says voters are complaining they've been expunged from the rolls, that their designated and confirmed polling place was closed when they arrived for the Primary election, even worse, some saw their vote changing in front of their eyes.

Candidate Lisa Ring/(D) Georgia 1st District: "We've heard reports all over the state of these old machines often not taking a persons vote, it'll change. Change the vote. And, sometimes, if people don't catch it, we don't know if the vote is being recorded accurately."

Georgia is facing other election concerns as well. There is controversy over the boundary line drawn for at least one voting district, several polls were almost closed in a majority black district and the lawsuit looming in federal court. Georgia voters head to the polls November 6 to elect a new governor and Ring has an opinion on that election.

"Our Secretary of State who is in charge of our elections is running for Governor and has not stepped down as Secretary of State, so that there's no conflict of interest there. That is of great concern to our voter integrity."

Ring says voters need to safeguard their vote by confirming they are active on the voting rolls, confirming their polling place and closely watch their ballot before hitting the "send and exit" button.