On June 29, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled in a 5-4 decision that Mississippi can continue to count absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days later. This ruling counters a Republican challenge that argued such ballots should be considered invalid under federal law.
The majority opinion, which included justices appointed by President Donald Trump and the court's liberal justices, emphasized that federal election statutes do not mandate that ballots must be received by Election Day. This decision is significant as it supports mail-in voting practices, which are crucial for absentee voters, including seniors and college students.
The ruling may have broader implications for mail-in voting regulations in other states, especially as the midterm elections approach