Supreme Court Questions Mississippi Mail-In Ballot Law

Alexa Monteleone

Summary

Supreme Court considers legality of Mississippi's mail-in ballot law.

Why this matters

The ruling could reshape mail-in voting laws nationwide, affecting upcoming elections and state voting procedures.

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled potential opposition to Mississippi’s mail-in ballot law. The law permits ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five business days, despite federal law requiring votes to be cast by Election Day.

This case could impact voting procedures in many states, including Nevada and California, which allow late ballots. The Republican National Committee and Mississippi’s GOP are challenging the law.

During a lengthy hearing, conservative justices questioned Mississippi’s ability to ensure ballots are cast by Election Day, especially as the state accepts late-arriving ballots through private couriers like FedEx.

Mississippi’s law, implemented during the pandemic in 2020, faces challenges over concerns it conflicts with the federal election timeline. President Donald Trump, who has opposed mail-in voting citing fraud concerns in the 2020 election, has encouraged legislation against it.

The liberal justices argued for the state’s right to set its election rules, expressing concerns about implications for early voting.

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