Key facts
- The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a law allowing mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day to be counted.
- The ruling provides a reprieve to 14 states with grace periods for receiving mail ballots.
- Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, stating federal election-day statutes do not require ballots to be received by Election Day.
- Donald Trump advocated for his election law bill, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, following the ruling.
- The RNC chairman aligned with Trump, asserting the ruling justifies passing the congressional proposal.
The U.S. Supreme Court has upheld a law that permits mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day to be counted, delivering a significant victory to Democrats and a setback to Republicans who sought to outlaw the practice. The decision provides immediate relief to the 14 states that currently have grace periods for receiving mail ballots, averting a scramble to change laws and inform voters just months before the midterm elections.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing for the majority, stated that federal election-day statutes do not mandate that ballots must be received by Election Day. The court focused narrowly on this question, avoiding broader declarations on absentee voting or the division of authority between Congress and states over election law.
States like Mississippi, California, and Illinois, which have varying grace periods for mail ballots, welcomed the ruling. Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs noted that the decision ensures voters whose ballots are postmarked on time but arrive late will still have their voices heard. California Secretary of State Shirley Weber called the ruling a win for voters and democracy.
Donald Trump, who has frequently criticized mail-in voting and blamed it for his 2020 election loss, characterized the ruling as a "tremendous loss." He used the decision to reiterate his call for the passage of his election law bill, THE SAVE AMERICA ACT, which proposes national requirements for voter documentation and mail ballot casting. RNC Chairman Joe Gruters echoed Trump's sentiment, suggesting the ruling justifies the need for such legislation.
Lower federal courts have previously blocked Trump administration efforts to impose new restrictions on mail ballots, consistently ruling that election rules fall under the purview of Congress and the states. While Barrett's opinion was narrow, Democrats hope the Supreme Court will approach other cases involving presidential authority over elections with skepticism.