Why Modern Voting Systems Rely on Barcodes and QR Codes for Accuracy, Security, and Transparency
President Donald Trump’s recent executive order attempting to ban QR codes and barcodes from ballots is not only a misguided policy—it’s based on false and misleading claims that distort the role these technologies play in modern elections. These codes have long been a scapegoat in conspiracy theories and misinformation campaigns, painted as mysterious or vulnerable, when in reality, they are a cornerstone of secure, efficient, and auditable election systems.
Let’s be clear: QR codes and barcodes are not the weak link in our election infrastructure. If anything, they are one of its strongest components. And replacing them with hand-counting would be a costly, error-prone step backward.
Why Use QR Codes and Barcodes?
QR codes and barcodes are simply machine-readable translations of a voter’s selections. They’re used to help tabulators quickly and accurately process ballots. In most modern voting systems, a voter either fills out a paper ballot or makes selections on a touchscreen ballot-marking device. The system then prints a paper ballot with two parts: a human-readable summary of the votes and a corresponding barcode or QR code that contains the same information in a format the tabulation machine can scan.
This combination provides both transparency and efficiency. Voters can verify their choices in plain text before submitting their ballot, while election officials can rely on the codes for rapid and accurate counting.
More importantly, these codes are dynamically generated based on each individual’s voting selections and the local ballot configuration. This makes them incredibly difficult to forge or manipulate. You can’t simply “alter a barcode” or change a dot or line and hope the system will accept it. Without knowing the precise format and encryption protocols, any modification would likely result in an invalid or unreadable ballot.
These Technologies Are Trusted Worldwide
- It’s worth asking: if QR codes and barcodes are so dangerous, why are they used in the most secure, high-stakes industries around the world?
- Banks use QR codes for mobile payments, deposits, account verification, and authentication—because they’re fast, encrypted, and secure.
- Consumer products companies use barcodes and QR codes to track inventory, prevent counterfeiting, and authenticate supply chains across global operations.
- Advertising and marketing have rapidly adopted QR codes for consumer engagement, mobile checkout, and promotional offers—because consumers trust them to deliver accurate results instantly.
In every case, these industries rely on QR codes not because they’re flashy, but because they’re reliable, difficult to fake, and easily auditable. If you can trust a QR code to transfer money, validate your identity, or access secure content, there’s no reason to fear it at the ballot box—especially when it’s paired with a printed summary and a paper trail.
Far More Reliable Than Human Counting
Hand-counting ballots may sound romantic, evoking images of democracy by candlelight—but it’s grossly inefficient and prone to human error. Human counting is subject to:
- Fatigue and inconsistency
- Disputes over unclear voter marks
- Delays and recount battles
- In contrast, QR and barcode systems provide:
- Instant, precise tabulation
- No interpretation disputes
- Audit trails using both the printed summary and the original code
Many states conduct risk-limiting audits after elections—these audits rely on the human-readable summary and match it to the machine-counted results, providing a direct check on the accuracy of tabulation systems.
Dynamic Codes Are Not Hackable or Predictable
Contrary to claims that QR codes can be manipulated, they are actually one of the hardest elements to tamper with. Why?
Each code is dynamically generated from secure, certified software. It incorporates ballot-specific configurations unique to a voter’s location and ballot style. Tampering without inside knowledge of the generation algorithm and cryptographic checksums would break the code—resulting in an error or rejection by the tabulator. It’s like trying to fake a fingerprint—without knowing the exact structure, pattern, and data format, you end up with a non-functional result.
What Happens If We Ban Them?
Removing QR codes and barcodes would be a disaster for modern elections:
- Massive delays in counting results
- Increased labor and costs
- Higher likelihood of disputes
- Loss of scalability in high-turnout elections
At a time when voters demand speed, accuracy, and integrity, reverting to a manual process would introduce more vulnerabilities, not fewer.
The Real Vulnerability: Misinformation
No widespread fraud has been found involving QR codes or barcodes. Every credible audit, including multiple reviews of the 2020 and 2022 elections, has shown that barcoded ballots are accurate and verifiable when used alongside paper trails and audits.
The real threat comes from false narratives that exploit public unfamiliarity with technology. By attacking systems they don’t understand, political actors like Trump are undermining faith in democracy itself, not protecting it.
Technology + Transparency = Trust
QR codes aren’t a threat. They’re a tool—like a calculator for tabulating large numbers quickly. Used with proper audits and voter verification steps, they are vastly superior to manual methods.
Voters are not left in the dark. They are encouraged to check their printed ballots. Officials are required to secure systems, test machines, and verify results through audits. That’s how trust is built: not by banning tools, but by verifying their accuracy.
Conclusion
Trump’s executive order isn’t about security. It’s about political theater—designed to sow doubt and capitalize on fear. His claims about QR codes and barcodes are false, misleading, and harmful to the electoral process.
Rather than dismantle secure infrastructure, we should strengthen it. That means improving public understanding, expanding audits, and embracing tools that deliver speed, accuracy, and trust—like barcodes and QR codes.
Call to Action
If you’re a voter, ask your local election office how ballots are verified and audited in your state. If you’re an election official, educate the public on how QR codes work and how they’re safeguarded. And if you’re a policymaker, stand up for facts and proven systems, not fear-based agendas.
The future of our democracy depends on our willingness to defend truth—and the technology that supports it.
