Trending Now - Supreme Court Reviews Case on Late Mail-in Ballots

WHO:

The Supreme Court

President Trump

Mississippi Secretary of State Michael Watson, a Republican

Republican National Committee (RNC)

Libertarian Party of Mississippi

U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit

WHAT:

The Supreme Court is reviewing a case regarding whether states can count mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received after that day.

Mississippi's law allows mail ballots received up to five days after the election to be counted if postmarked by Election Day.

Four states (Kansas, North Dakota, Ohio, and Utah) passed laws in 2025 eliminating grace periods for mail ballots.

The 5th Circuit ruled that federal law supersedes Mississippi's deadline for mail ballots.

A decision from the Supreme Court is expected by the end of June or early July 2026.

WHERE:

Washington, D.C.

Mississippi

WHEN:

The Supreme Court hearing is taking place on March 23rd, 2026.

The case was agreed to be decided by the Supreme Court in November 2025.

The Republican National Committee and the state GOP filed lawsuits in 2024.

WHY:

The case arises from concerns that Mississippi's grace period for mail ballots conflicts with federal statutes that set Election Day.

President Trump is advocating to end mail voting, citing concerns about election integrity and fraud.

HOW:

The Supreme Court is hearing arguments regarding the legality of counting late-arriving mail ballots.

Mississippi officials argue that their law reflects a policy choice under the Constitution's Elections Clause, which allows states to set election rules.

The RNC argues that the election ends when the ballot box closes, not when voters submit their ballots.

(UPDATED March 23, 2026 15:38 UTC)

Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a significant case concerning whether states can count mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but arrive afterward, with Mississippi's law allowing such ballots to be counted up to five days late. President Trump is advocating for an end to mail voting, citing concerns over election integrity, while the Republican National Committee argues that elections should conclude when the ballot box closes, not when ballots are submitted. A decision from the Supreme Court is anticipated by the end of June or early July 2026, following a ruling from the 5th Circuit that federal law takes precedence over Mississippi's mail ballot deadline.