Republican election officials say Trump mail ballot rule too late for November | PiQ Markets
Republican election officials say Trump mail ballot rule too late for November
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IN SHORT
Republican chief election officials have told the Supreme Court it is too late to implement a Trump administration mail-in ballot rule for the upcoming November election. They argue that implementing the rule now would cause confusion and disruption for voters and election workers.
Who's Involved
Deidre Henderson
Utah Lt. Gov. and chief election official
Michael Adams
Kentucky Secretary of State
Michael Howe
North Dakota Secretary of State
Monae Johnson
South Dakota Secretary of State
Brad Raffensperger
Georgia Secretary of State
David Scanlan
New Hampshire Secretary of State
Scott Schwab
Kansas Secretary of State
Helen Purcell
former local elections official in Arizona
↳ Why This Matters
The officials' filing highlights the practical challenges and potential for electoral chaos if significant voting rule changes are introduced close to an election, impacting voter confidence and the integrity of the electoral process.
Key facts
Republican chief election officials argue it's too late to implement a Trump administration mail-in ballot rule for the November election.
Officials cited concerns about workability, disruption to ongoing processes, and potential mistakes, delays, and confusion for voters and election workers.
The filing took no position on the merits of the rule itself, suggesting it could be decided before the 2028 election.
The officials invoked the Purcell principle, which cautions against late-stage changes to voting rules.
The Trump administration is seeking to overturn lower court rulings that are blocking the mail-in order.
Helen Purcell, a former local elections official, also signed the brief.
Republican chief election officials have informed the Supreme Court that it is too late to implement a Trump administration mail-in ballot rule for the upcoming November election, citing concerns about potential disruption and confusion. The officials, including Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and secretaries of state from Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Kansas, argued in a brief that the necessary work to implement the rule correctly cannot be accomplished in the remaining time without jeopardizing other crucial election preparations.
They warned that attempting to implement the rule now would "almost certainly lead to mistakes, delays and confusion for both voters and election officials." The officials emphasized that their filing did not take a stance on the rule's merits, suggesting that its validity could be debated well before the 2028 election. The brief also referenced the Purcell principle, a legal precedent advising against late-stage changes to voting rules that could confuse voters and erode confidence in election outcomes.
The Trump administration has repeatedly asked the Supreme Court to overturn lower court rulings that have blocked the mail-in order via a preliminary injunction from a federal District Court judge in Boston, seeking to have the rule take effect for the November election.
Frequently asked questions
The Purcell principle is a holding in federal court that generally advises federal judges to refrain from making late-stage changes to voting rules that could cause confusion for voters and election officials.
The specific details of the Trump administration's mail-in ballot rule are not fully elaborated in the provided text, but it is a rule that election officials believe would cause confusion and delays if implemented close to an election.
The brief was signed by Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson and six secretaries of state: Michael Adams (Kentucky), Michael Howe (North Dakota), Monae Johnson (South Dakota), Brad Raffensperger (Georgia), David Scanlan (New Hampshire), and Scott Schwab (Kansas). Former local elections official Helen Purcell also signed on.
What Happens Next
01The Supreme Court will consider the brief filed by the Republican election officials.
02The Supreme Court will decide whether to set aside lower court rulings and allow the Trump administration's mail-in ballot rule to go into effect for the November election.
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How It Developed
Republican chief election officials and former local election officials filed a brief urging the Supreme Court to ensure the election is conducted under the same rules used in 2024.
The officials stated that implementing the mail-in ballot rule now would cause mistakes, delays, and confusion for voters and election officials.
The officials cited the Purcell principle, which advises federal judges to avoid late-stage changes to voting rules that could cause confusion.
The Trump administration has asked the Supreme Court to set aside lower court rulings and allow the mail-in ballot rule to take effect for the November election.