John Corbett 

This year, Georgia will likely buy new voting machines for the whole state. More importantly, Valdosta and the surrounding areas will be given the opportunity to cast their ballots on a new, safer, auditable touchscreen voting system.

In 2001, the state bought new machines that changed voting as we knew it. We changed from paper ballots to 100 percent computerized voting.

This was arguably the most drastic change we could have had. Now the state is asking yet again to make a change to our voting systems, but this time, there is little change, and for the better.

The machines you and I are used to voting on presented a problem – we couldn’t see our votes after they were cast. Outlined in House Bill 316 is an auditable paper trail so every voter can make sure their vote is for their chosen candidate. With these new ballot-marking devices, you can confirm you did in fact choose to vote for John Corbett.

Not only do these new systems give voters peace of mind and increased confidence, but they’re also the most cost-effective option on the market. Hand-marked paper ballots would be comparable, if not more expensive, than touchscreen systems. These old-school, traditional ballots could potentially peak at approximately $225 million, well over the estimated $150 million already allocated in Gov. Brian Kemp’s budget.

Not only so, the cost to purchase new ballot-marking devices is borne by the state, rather than Lowndes County. Because there is less paper with BMDs, we save money back home. 

This allows our community to continue to grow rather than wasting resources on paper or flushing money down the proverbial drain. We cannot let a few loud activists dictate the direction of our state simply because they think old, cumbersome methods are better.

History remembers the failures in any election. Whether that is the hanging chads in 2001 or the Broward County paper ballots in 2018. By passing HB 316, Georgia is on the right side of history: the side of voters across our state.

It’s imperative we focus on all the aspects of voting: security, accuracy, accessibility and fairness. My track record as a fiscal conservative compelled me to vote yes on House Bill 316. This legislation is now in the Senate, and I urge all senators who wish to propel Georgia forward to vote yes.

John Corbett is state representative for District 174.