U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Counting of Late-Arriving Mail Ballots
On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in *RNC v. Wetzel* that Mississippi’s law allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to five days later is legal. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, rejecting a Republican National Committee challenge. The decision protects similar laws in up to 30 states and ensures ballots from military and overseas voters are counted. The ruling is a significant setback for former President Donald Trump and Republican efforts to restrict mail-in voting ahead of the 2026 midterms.
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Supreme Court Upholds Postmarked Ballot Counting in 5-4 Ruling, Dissent Flags Fraud Fears
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, ruled that states can count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive up to five days later, rejecting a Republican National Committee lawsuit challenging Mississippi's rule. The ruling upheld longstanding practices in 14 states and D.C., avoiding election administration chaos. However, the majority opinion and dissent revealed deep concerns over voter fraud. Justice Barrett dismissed arguments that late-arriving ballots could cause election results to 'flip,' noting that no results are final until certification. Justice Samuel Alito, in dissent joined by Justices Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, argued the decision 'leaves open opportunities for voter fraud,' citing dated sources. The analysis criticizes Alito for perpetuating unsubstantiated voter fraud myths, noting that actual fraud is extremely rare.
Washington MonthlySupreme Court Upholds Postmarked Ballot Rules Amid Fraud Concerns
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, upheld Mississippi's law allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received up to five days later. The Republican National Committee had challenged the rule, arguing federal law requires all ballots to be received by Election Day. The majority rejected this interpretation, citing historical practice and common sense. However, both the majority and dissenting opinions engaged with unfounded fears of voter fraud. Justice Alito, joined by Thomas, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh, warned of potential fraud, citing outdated sources. The analysis criticizes the justices for legitimizing baseless fraud claims, while noting the ruling preserves voter access in 14 states and D.C.
Washington MonthlySupreme Court Upholds Postmarked Ballot Counting in 5-4 Ruling, Dissent Raises Voter Fraud Fears
The US Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a challenge by the Republican National Committee (RNC) that sought to invalidate Mississippi's rule allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if received within five days. The ruling upheld over 150 years of state practice in setting absentee ballot deadlines. The RNC had argued federal law required all ballots to be received by Election Day, which the Fifth Circuit had previously accepted. Justice Barrett wrote that the 'defining element of an election' is the voter's choice, not receipt by a specific date. However, the analysis notes that both the majority and dissenting opinions, particularly from Justice Samuel Alito, invoked concerns about voter fraud, which the article criticizes as unsubstantiated. The decision is seen as a victory for voter access, preventing chaos in election administration across the 14 states with similar laws.
Washington MonthlyTrump says SAVE America Act more important than ever following SCOTUS ruling on mail-in ballots
President Trump criticized the Supreme Court's decision to uphold a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots received after Election Day to be counted, arguing that the ruling underscores the need for Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act. The Supreme Court's ruling affirms states' authority to set ballot receipt deadlines, but Trump claims it increases the risk of election fraud. He urged lawmakers to prioritize the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship for voter registration and tighten mail-in ballot rules. The article highlights ongoing partisan debates over voting access and election integrity ahead of the 2024 election.
Just In NewsTrump's Supreme Court Appointee Barrett Saves Late Mail Ballots He Opposes
In a 5-4 Supreme Court decision written by Justice Amy Coney Barrett—one of Donald Trump's three appointees—the court ruled to protect the counting of late mail-in ballots, handing Trump what he described as a 'tremendous loss' just months before the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling is significant as Trump has long been a vocal critic of mail-in voting, often claiming it leads to fraud. Barrett's majority opinion effectively upheld the validity of ballots received after Election Day, a practice Trump and many Republicans have opposed. The decision is expected to have major implications for the upcoming midterm elections, potentially affecting turnout and vote-counting procedures in key states.
Fortune | FORTUNESupreme Court rejects GOP challenge to Mississippi mail-in ballot deadline; Trump demands election bill
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that Mississippi can continue counting absentee ballots received up to five days after Election Day, rejecting a Republican challenge from the RNC. The opinion, written by Trump appointee Justice Amy Coney Barrett and joined by the court's three liberals, held that federal election-day statutes do not require ballots to be received by Election Day. Trump called the ruling a 'tremendous loss' and doubled down on Congress passing the SAVE America Act, a controversial voter-ID bill that would restrict mail-in voting and require proof of citizenship. The decision is a blow to GOP efforts to curtail mail-in voting ahead of the midterm elections. Mississippi is one of roughly 30 states that count late-arriving absentee ballots if postmarked by Election Day.
US Top News and AnalysisSupreme Court Upholds Mississippi Mail-In Voting Grace Period, Rejects Republican Challenge
The U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision on June 29, 2026, upholding a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to five days after. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett and joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and three liberal justices, reaffirmed state authority over election mechanics under the Constitution's Elections Clause. The ruling protects similar laws in 18 states and territories, including California, Illinois, and New York, and safeguards ballots from overseas military voters. The decision represents a significant defeat for Republican efforts to restrict mail-in voting, which the article characterizes as a safe and established practice. The report also briefly notes separate ongoing scandals involving President Trump and his family's financial interests in federal contracts.
The New RepublicSupreme Court Upholds State Laws Counting Late Mail-In Ballots After Election Day
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 29, 2026, that Mississippi's law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted up to five days after Election Day, if postmarked by Election Day, does not violate federal law. The decision, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a challenge by the Republican National Committee, which had sought stricter mail-in voting regulations. The ruling upholds similar laws in 30 states, including provisions for military and overseas voters. The court held that federal law governs when ballots must be cast, but state law determines when they must be received, effectively separating the act of voting from ballot receipt. The ruling is a significant setback for Republicans and President Donald Trump, who have criticized mail-in voting practices.
Forbes - BusinessUS Supreme Court upholds states' ability to accept mail ballots after Election Day
The US Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on Monday that states may accept mail-in ballots received after Election Day in federal races, as long as they are postmarked by that day. The decision rejected the Republican National Committee's legal challenge aimed at blocking the practice. More than a dozen states currently allow ballots to be counted if they arrive after polls close, provided the postmark is from Election Day. Justice Amy Coney Barrett was among the majority in the narrow ruling, which maintains existing state flexibility during mail voting. The case is seen as a significant development in ongoing debates over voting access and election integrity.
Just In NewsSupreme Court Allows Counting of Late-Arriving Mail Ballots
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 29, 2026, to uphold a Mississippi law allowing election officials to count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day but arriving up to five days later. Writing for the majority, Justice Amy Coney Barrett said federal election law does not require ballots to be received by Election Day, overturning a lower court decision that had sided with a Republican National Committee challenge. The ruling protects similar laws in over two dozen states. Justice Samuel Alito led a dissent arguing federal law requires the election to occur on Election Day. The decision sets up potential political conflicts as former President Donald Trump has backed legislation to restrict mail voting and ban counting late-arriving ballots, though that bill has stalled in the Republican-controlled Senate.
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