The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 today that states may continue to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive shortly thereafter, rejecting a challenge to Mississippi’s long-standing grace period.
This ruling preserves the existing election procedures in more than a dozen states, preventing a major overhaul of mail-in voting rules ahead of the 2026 midterms.
- The Court’s rationale: In the majority opinion, Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that federal election-day statutesestablish a deadline for voters to cast their ballots, but they do not preempt state laws regarding the specific window for ballot receipt.
- Case background: The Republican National Committee had challenged a Mississippi law that permits the counting of ballots if they are postmarked by Election Day and arrive within five business days, arguing that federal law necessitates a single day for all election activities.
- Broad impact: The decision serves as a significant win for voting rights advocates, effectively protecting similar “grace period” laws currently in effect across 14 states, Washington D.C., and three U.S. territories.