Supreme Court Hears Case That Could End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods
Key Takeaways
- GOP challenge targets Mississippi's five-day grace period for late-arriving mail ballots.
- Court weighs whether states may count postmarked by Election Day ballots received after the deadline.
- Justices skeptical; ruling could curb nationwide mail-in voting ahead of midterms.
Court Reviews Mail-In Ballot Deadlines
The Supreme Court heard arguments in Watson v. RNC, challenging Mississippi's five-day grace period for mail ballots.
Thirteen other states and DC have similar laws allowing late-arriving ballots to be counted.
The conservative justices expressed skepticism, with Alito asking about the appearance of fraud.
The liberal justices defended the grace periods as an exercise of states' authority.
Legal Battle Over When a Vote Is Cast
The core question is when someone votes: when the ballot is submitted or when it's received?
The Fifth Circuit ruled that ballots must be in hand on election day to count.
Several federal laws show Congress is comfortable with post-Election Day deadlines.
Implications for 14 States and the Midterms
Fifteen states and DC currently have grace periods for mailed ballots.
The case could affect California voters, which rely heavily on mail voting.
The challenge is part of Trump's broader attack on mail balloting.
A ruling is expected by late June.
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