By Field Searcy
Much like the fable of The Emperor’s New Clothes, the Democracy Defense Project (DDP) parades Georgia’s elections as “secure” while ignoring glaring, well-documented problems that are visible to anyone willing to look. Confidence built on a flawed system is not true security. Their leadership, comprised of former governors, senators, and mayors, issues confident statements about public trust and record turnout, but have they actually attended the court proceedings where the legality of Georgia’s election system is openly challenged? Have they been present at Georgia State Election Board meetings, where egregious violations-such as those by Fulton County-are detailed and debated? Have they listened to legislative testimony about irregular and incomplete voter roll databases that violate Georgia statutes? There is no public record of their engagement in these critical forums.
In contrast, hundreds of election integrity activists from across Georgia have attended these meetings, studied the evidence, and petitioned the government for redress of grievances. Their efforts have been met with indifference or outright dismissal by those who prefer the illusion of security to the reality of law and evidence.
Existing Law Violations
The DDP’s assurances ignore clear violations of Georgia law. State statute O.C.G.A. § 21-2-300(a)(2) requires that electronic ballot markers produce paper ballots “readable by the elector.” Yet, as established in Curling v. Raffensperger, Georgia’s Dominion voting system encodes votes in a QR code-a mark unreadable by voters-making it impossible for them to verify how their vote is actually recorded. This is not a theoretical concern; it is a direct violation of the law and has been recognized as such by a federal judge.
Security Concerns
Security lapses with the Dominion system are not speculative. The encryption codes are stored in plain text and system administrator password has been publicly available. The system relies on foreign corporations and microchips, raising national security concerns. These vulnerabilities are not just theoretical; they have been cited in ongoing litigation and legislative debate as reasons the system cannot be trusted to safeguard the vote. In fact, a ballot marking device was hacked in a US District Court with a ball point pen. Even the current Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has famously stated, “You give anybody a voting machine and they can hack it.”
“You give anybody a voting machine and they can hack it.” ~ Governor Brian Kemp
The Solution: Hand-Marked Paper Ballots
The solution is neither radical nor untested. Nearly seventy (70) percent of the United States votes on hand-marked paper ballots. Georgia law already allows for hand-marked paper ballots using the Absentee/Provisional/Emergency ballots, that can be scanned by tabulators, and, crucially, hand-counted and certified at the precinct level as required under O.C.G.A. § 21-2-437. Legislation advancing through the General Assembly would expand this option, providing voters the ability to mark their choices with pen or pencil, ensuring transparency and auditability. This approach is fully compliant with O.C.G.A. § 21-2-300(a)(2) and existing Georgia Rules & Regulations 183-1-12-.11, and would restore public trust by providing a verifiable paper trail. This process is transparent, auditable, and fully compliant with state law and federal civil rights protections. It would also comply with SB189 passed in 2024 requiring the removal of the QR code.
Conclusion
The DDP’s narrative is built on selective engagement and wishful thinking, much like the emperor’s courtiers admiring invisible clothes. Until they confront clear evidence of legal violations and security failures, their reassurances ring hollow. Georgia’s voters deserve elections that are not just secure in theory, but verifiable, transparent, and compliant with the law in practice. The path forward is clear: implement hand-marked paper ballots, publicly hand-counted and certified at the precinct, to ensure every voter can see-and trust-how their vote is counted.
Field Searcy is co-founder of GeorgiansForTruth.org, a grassroots volunteer effort to bring election integrity to Georgia.
By Field Searcy
The phrase “something is rotten in the state of Denmark” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet perfectly captures the troubling state of election integrity in Georgia, as revealed by the long-running Curling v. Raffensperger case. What began in 2018 as a challenge to Georgia’s outdated Diebold voting machines has evolved into a damning exposé of the state’s current Dominion voting system, raising serious concerns about transparency, security, and accountability. Yet, after years of litigation, federal Judge Amy Totenberg dismissed the case on March 31, 2025, citing “standing” as the reason—despite the glaring contradictions and troubling circumstances surrounding her decision. The case’s dismissal leaves Georgians with more questions than answers and a growing sense of distrust in the system meant to safeguard their democracy.
A Dismissal That Defies Logic
Judge Totenberg’s decision to dismiss the case on “standing” is as baffling as it is infuriating. “Standing” is typically a threshold issue determined at the beginning of a trial, not after 17 days of court testimony, a 14-month delay before issuing a final order, and 33 pages of detailed findings that highlight substantial concerns with Georgia’s voting technology. In her original 135 page order to conduct the trial in the first place, Totenberg declared the Dominion system to be in violation of Georgia law (O.C.G.A. 21-2-300), which requires a human-verifiable ballot. Yet, despite these findings, she dismissed the case on a technicality, effectively sidestepping her duty to provide justice to the people of Georgia. This decision is not just a legal failure—it is a betrayal of public trust.
Suspicious Timing and Public Comments
The timing of Totenberg’s order raises even more red flags. It was released during the final week of the Georgia General Assembly session, during which the Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was requesting a $66 million budget to comply with SB189, a bill aimed at removing the controversial QR code from ballots. The timing seems far from coincidental. Adding to the suspicion, Totenberg made public comments after her decision, stating, “If these legislative measures are ultimately funded and implemented, they are the type of timely legislative action that can bolster public confidence in the management and security of Georgia’s voting system.” These remarks sound less like impartial judicial commentary and more like an endorsement of spending $66 million on a system upgrade for a contract that will be up for renewal in just 2-3 years. Why invest such a significant sum in a system that has already been declared noncompliant with state law and riddled with security vulnerabilities?
Alarming Trial Revelations The four-week bench trial, which concluded in February 2024, revealed shocking vulnerabilities in Georgia’s election system. Dr. Alex J. Halderman, a cybersecurity expert, demonstrated in court how votes could be flipped on a ballot-marking device (BMD) using nothing more than a ballpoint pen. This was not the first time such a demonstration had occurred; Halderman performed a similar hack three years earlier, yet Raffensperger failed to implement any of the four Election Assistance Commission (EAC)-approved software updates that could have addressed these vulnerabilities. Even more troubling, testimony from the Secretary of State’s office revealed that no one in the office is responsible for overseeing the cybersecurity of Georgia’s election system. Instead, this critical responsibility has been outsourced to Dominion itself—a glaring conflict of interest.
Judge Totenberg’s Abdication of Duty
Judge Totenberg’s handling of this case should be condemned by all who value justice and accountability. Her delays, which stretched the case over 14 months after the trial concluded, wasted time and resources for all involved. Her ultimate dismissal on “standing” after extensive testimony and findings of legal violations is a basic abdication of her duty to provide justice to the people of Georgia. The people deserved a ruling on the merits of the case, not a procedural cop-out that leaves the state’s election system in limbo.
The People Must Act
If this case has taught us anything, it is that we cannot rely on the courts to protect our elections. It is up to We the People to demand change. The Georgia General Assembly must act to restore confidence in our elections by passing HB397, which removes Georgia from the controversial ERIC voter registration system, and SB214, which replaces BMDs with hand-marked paper ballots. Additionally, counties must follow existing law (O.C.G.A. 21-2-437) to conduct full hand counts and certification at the precinct level. These measures are essential for transparency to ensuring that every vote is secure, verifiable, and counted accurately.
A Call to Action
The Curling v. Raffensperger case has exposed deep flaws in Georgia’s election system, but it has also highlighted the resilience and determination of those fighting for transparency and accountability. Now, it is up to the citizens of Georgia to take up the mantle. Contact your state senators and representatives and demand action. The integrity of our elections—and the future of our republic—depends on it.
Field Searcy is co-founder of GeorgiansForTruth.org, a grassroots volunteer effort to bring election integrity to Georgia.
What: VOTER ROLL VERACITY Press Conference
When: Monday, February 24, 2025, 2pm
Where: Georgia State Capitol, South Atrium Steps
Speakers include:
• Dr. Rick Richards – Founder of EagleAI
• Mike Nixon – State Director for United Sovereign Americans
• Dr. Jerome Corsi, PhD – Renown political scientist and best selling author
Opening remarks by Field Searcy, co-founder of Georgian’s For Truth:
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you for joining us today for this critical press conference on VOTER ROLL VERACITY. My name is Field Searcy, I’m with Georgians For Truth. We are here to address the core issues that undermine transparency, accuracy, and trust in Georgia’s elections. While the legislature has made a number of election law changes each year since the deployment of the current system, these efforts have only tinkered around the edges. They have failed to confront the fundamental problems that threaten the integrity of our electoral process.
These three problems are:
Today, we will focus on the alarming number of issues with our voter registration rolls from three different angles. We are fortunate to have with us today three distinguished speakers who bring a wealth of expertise and insight into these issues.
First, we will hear from Dr. Rick Richards, co-founder of EagleAI, a voter roll database maintenance application. Dr. Richards is a family physician with 40 years of experience in large-scale population data management. He and his team have spent four years reviewing voter registrations from 38 states plus DC, and he will share his findings on the failures of ERIC and the urgent need for reform in Georgia’s voter registration system.
Next, we will welcome Mr. Mike Nixon, an IT professional and a State Director for United Sovereign Americans. Mr. Nixon will present data on Georgia and other states, highlighting the alarming evidence of voter roll registration irregularities in both the 2020 and 2024 elections.
Finally, we will hear from Dr. Jerome Corsi, a renowned political science professor and author of over 30 books, including two #1 New York Times bestsellers. Dr. Corsi will discuss groundbreaking research on voter roll algorithms behind “duplicated modified records”, and the broader implications for election integrity.
This is not just about identifying problems—it’s about having our representatives acknowledge the issues and take corrective steps in finding solutions. We must move beyond surface-level changes and take bold, decisive action to ensure that Georgia’s elections are secure, transparent, and trustworthy.
Thank you for being here today. Let’s begin by welcoming our first speaker, Dr. Rick Richards.
What: VOTER ROLL VERACITY Press Conference
When: Monday, February 24, 2025, 2pm
Where: Georgia State Capitol, South Atrium Steps
Speakers include:
• Dr. Rick Richards – Founder of EagleAI
• Mike Nixon – State Director for United Sovereign Americans
• Dr. Jerome Corsi, PhD – Renown political scientist and best selling author
Georgia’s QR Code Removal Project – A Costly Band-Aid for a Broken System
The Georgia Secretary of State’s (SOS) recent presentation to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the QR Code Removal Project raises serious questions about the state’s priorities and its commitment to election security, transparency, and compliance with the law. The $65,981,895 price tag to remove QR codes from ballot marking devices (BMDs) is staggering, but even more concerning is the SOS’s recommendation to ignore the mandate of SB189 and Georgia’s election law (O.C.G.A. 21-2-300) altogether. This decision not only undermines public trust but also perpetuates the use of a deeply flawed and insecure voting system.
The QR Code Problem: A Symbol of Voter Disenfranchisement
The QR code on Georgia’s ballot marking devices has been a lightning rod for criticism since its implementation. The public’s frustration is understandable: the QR code is machine-readable but not human-readable, leaving voters unable to verify that their selections are accurately recorded. Federal Judge Amy Totenberg has already declared this a violation of Georgia law, and the Curling v. Raffensperger trial has further exposed the vulnerabilities of the state’s election system. The infamous hacking demonstration in January 2024, where a ballot marking device was compromised with a ballpoint pen in open court, underscores the urgent need for reform.
Despite these glaring issues, the SOS’s presentation to the subcommittee seems more focused on justifying inaction than addressing the root problems. The recommendation to delay QR code removal until the current 10-year contract with Dominion expires in three years is a blatant attempt to sidestep the law and kick the can down the road. This approach not only ignores the will of the legislature but also fails to address the public’s legitimate concerns about election integrity.
Breaking Down the Costs: A Misguided Investment
The SOS’s cost breakdown for removing QR codes is eye-opening. The total implementation cost of $65,981,895 includes $14,652,654 for software updates and $51,329,241 for new equipment, such as printers, scanners, and servers completely replacing all existing equipment except the BMD’s. While the software updates are covered under the existing Dominion contract, the hardware costs are exorbitant and raise questions about the state’s procurement process and long-term planning. This figure is more than half the costs of the original investment in 2019.
Even more troubling are the technical issues with the proposed upgrades. The use of outdated software and hardware, such as Microsoft SQL Server 2016 and Android 8.1, highlights the system’s inherent vulnerabilities. The fact that the latest Dominion Democracy Suite (version 5.20) was only certified in February 2025 and still relies on antiquated technology is a glaring red flag, further eroding confidence in the system’s security. Many vulnerabilities have been identified by cybersecurity experts, CISA, and the Department of Homeland Security. Spending millions to upgrade a system that was not designed with security in mind is akin to putting a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.
A Better Path Forward: Hand-Marked Paper Ballots
The SOS’s recommendation to delay QR code removal and consider purchasing a new system in three years is not only fiscally irresponsible but also ignores a simpler, more effective solution: hand-marked paper ballots. Security-grade hand-marked paper ballots are fully verifiable by voters and eliminate the need for proprietary, insecure technology. By following existing law (O.C.G.A. 21-2-437), which mandates a full hand count of all races at the precinct level in public view, Georgia can restore trust and transparency in its election system.
Hand-marked paper ballots are not only more secure but also more cost-effective. The $66 million proposed for QR code removal could be better spent on implementing a robust hand-marked paper ballot system, training poll workers, and ensuring compliance with election laws. This approach would address the public’s concerns, comply with SB189 and O.C.G.A. 21-2-300, and eliminate the reliance on a proprietary system with known security vulnerabilities.
Restoring Trust in Georgia’s Elections
The QR Code Removal Project is a symptom of a larger problem: Georgia’s election system is controlled by a proprietary, secretive system that prioritizes convenience over security and transparency. The public’s trust in the electoral process has been eroded by years of mismanagement, legal battles, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. It is time for Georgia to take bold action to restore that trust.
The solution is clear: abandon the flawed and insecure ballot marking devices in favor of hand-marked paper ballots. This approach not only complies with the law but also ensures that every voter can verify their selections and that every vote is counted accurately. By conducting full hand counts at the precinct level in public view, Georgia can set a new standard for election integrity and transparency.
The SOS’s recommendation to delay QR code removal and consider purchasing a new system in three years is a disservice to Georgia’s voters and a violation of the legislature’s mandate. It is time for the state to prioritize the will of the people over the interests of vendors and bureaucrats. Georgia’s elections should be secure, transparent, and accountable—and that starts with ditching the QR codes and embracing hand-marked paper ballots.
Technical Notes on QR Code Removal Project:
DITCH DOMINION Press Conference
What: Why Georgia Must Ditch the Dominion Voting Systems
When: Monday, January 13, 2025, 2pm
Where: Georgia State Capitol, South Atrium Steps
Speakers include:
• Richard Schroeder – Hall County Election Integrity Advocate
• Field Searcy – co-founder Georgians For Truth
• Garland Favorito – co-founder VoterGA
• Clay Parikh – cybersecurity expert in election systems
• Holly Kessler – Georgia State Director for Citizens Defending Freedom
• Antonio Jones – Gwinnett War Room podcaster
• Sam Carnline – co-founder Georgians For Truth
Monday is the first day of the 2025 Georgia Legislative session. New information is being distributed to the legislators. Speaker Jon Burns says “we’ll listen to the grassroots.” We need you, THE PEOPLE, there to make sure they do.
Garland Favorito will present stunning new evidence explaining why Georgia should ditch the Dominion voting system. New evidence includes court documents, forensic reports and expert testimony to highlight illegalities, faulty certifications, national security issues, vote count failures and undisclosed remote access capabilities.
Georgia’s elections have been outsourced to foreign corporations and use foreign law to certify them. Let’s return sovereign control of our elections back to THE PEOPLE.
Follow us on https://x.com/Georgians4Truth and
www.georgiansfortruth.org
Download the flyer handed out to legislators below.
What: Why Georgia Must Ditch the Dominion Voting Systems
When: Monday, January 13, 2025, 2pm
Where: Georgia State Capitol, South Atrium Steps
Speakers include:
• Garland Favorito – co-founder VoterGA
• Clay Parikh – cybersecurity expert in election systems
• Mallory Staples – Georgia Freedom Caucus
• Antonio Jones – Gwinnett War Room podcaster
Monday is the first day of the 2025 Georgia Legislative session. New information is being distributed to the legislators. Speaker Jon Burns says “we’ll listen to the grassroots.” We need you, THE PEOPLE, there to make sure they do.
Garland Favorito will present stunning new evidence explaining why Georgia should ditch the Dominion voting system. New evidence includes court documents, forensic reports and expert testimony to highlight illegalities, faulty certifications, national security issues, vote count failures and undisclosed remote access capabilities.
Georgia’s elections have been outsourced to foreign corporations and use foreign law to certify them. Let’s return sovereign control of our elections back to THE PEOPLE.
A Look Back at 2024 from http://GeorgiansForTruth.org.. There’s more to do, so stay engaged. Thanks for all you do and your support. Happy New Year!
It’s been two weeks since a court hearing revealed that the system admin password and encryption hashes for Georgia’s electronic voting system have been exposed, potentially affecting multiple states. The silence from the media is deafening.
Since August 2023, we have attended every State Election Board (SEB) meeting. Many election integrity activists have been participating for over four years or more. Throughout this time, we have consistently highlighted the injuries and violations impacting the people of Georgia. We have approached our county Board of Elections, engaged with our legislators, and even spoken to the governor, who bluntly stated, “You give anybody a voting machine and they can hack it.”
Meanwhile, the Secretary of State evades serious inquiries and refuses to answer questions from state senators or appear in court. Despite presenting evidence of law violations, we see minimal action. Yes, some legislation has been passed and rules adopted, but the core issues remain unresolved after four years:
All branches of government—executive, legislative, and judicial—have been kicking this proverbial can down the road. As a result, we find ourselves in a state of lawlessness. Regardless of what happens in 30 days, neither side will be satisfied, leading us to repeat this cycle once again. We are indeed in an “impracticable” situation. The only practical remedy remains clear:
According to OCGA 21-2-70-15:
I am not writing this to discourage anyone; we must all VOTE. However, it is crucial for all Georgians to be informed and engaged on these issues. The people must reclaim control usurped by foreign corporations and special interests who have centralized the process to dominate. It’s our sovereignty duty to check the government from the bottom up and restore trust in our electoral process.
Field Searcy is co-founder of GeorgiansForTruth.org, a grassroots volunteer effort to bring election integrity to Georgia. Go to @georgians4truth on X or Rumble.
