The Supreme Court is taking up a case from Mississippi over whether states can count late-arriving mail ballots, a target of President Donald Trump.
The outcome of the case could affect voters in 14 states and the District of Columbia, which have grace periods for ballots cast by mail, provided they are postmarked by Election Day. An additional 15 states that have more forgiving deadlines for ballots from military and overseas voters also could be impacted.
A ruling is expected by late June, early enough to govern the counting of ballots in the 2026 midterm congressional elections. Forcing states to change their practices just a few months before the election risks “confusion and disenfranchisement,” especially in places that have had relaxed deadlines for years, state and big-city election officials told the court in a written filing. California, Texas, New York and Illinois are among the states with post-Election Day deadlines. Rural Alaska, with its vast distances and often unpredictable weather, also counts late-arriving ballots. Lawyers for the Republican and Libertarian parties, as well as Trump's administration, are asking the justices to affirm an appellate ruling that struck down a Mississippi law allowing ballots to be counted if they arrive within five business days of the election and are postmarked by Election Day., which he has said breeds fraud despite strong evidence to the contrary and years of experience in numerous states.that aims to require votes to be “cast and received” by Election Day. The order has been blocked in pending court challenges. At the same time, four Republican-dominated states — Ohio, Kansas, North Dakota and Utah — eliminated grace periods last year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and Voting Rights Lab. The issue at the Supreme Court is whether federal law sets a single Election Day that requires ballots to be both cast by voters and received by state officials. In striking down Mississippi's grace period, Judge Andrew Oldham of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals wrote that the state law allowing the late-arriving ballots to be counted violated federal law. Oldham and the other two judges who joined the unanimous ruling, James Ho and Stuart Kyle Duncan, all were appointed by Trump during his first term. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.he Block Jax owner working on solutions to parking chaos that spilled into neighboring lotsAI Can not spell Ortega. It is a beautiful river and great on a west wind day. EnjoyBlind Clay County fourth grader finds new world in Braille booksWalk the Talk: Epilepsy Alliance Florida hosts awareness walk at Jacksonville Zoo0:50Gators, Hurricanes begin quest for national title; Bulldogs end season in first roundMan killed in Ponte Vedra double shooting remembered as ‘life of the party’Father says his daughter was detained at Blue Cypress Park teen takeoverInside new family-focused venue The Block Jax on city's SouthsideThe first day of spring is here! Michelle gives a look at the temperatures into the weekendIran internet blackout leaves Jacksonville families anxiously waiting for word from loved onesUnredacted arrest warrant reveals new details about double shooting in Ponte VedraDaughter of Ponte Vedra double shooting victim urges harsh punishment for accused killerA teen told a 79-year-old man he’d clean his driveway. Then he took him to withdraw over $10kA teen told a 79-year-old man he’d clean his driveway. Then he took him to withdraw over $10kResidents say it doesn’t prevent accidents after deadly Atlantic Blvd. crashI need a drop top office! A spring fling then it feels like summer1:04What police want parents to know about 'teen takeovers' after Arlington gathering ends in arrestsJacksonville edges toward $4 a gallon; Here's how you can saveJacksonville city councilman pushing to roll out Waymo; Safety analysts have some concernsCity of St. Augustine introduces resolution that would permanently shorten Nights of LightsMother of 18-year-old killed at Westside Burger King serves customers, pays for meals in son’s honorMother of 18-year-old killed at Westside Burger King serves customers, pays for meals in son’s honorGator boys headed to Tampa to begin journey for back-to-back national titlesJacksonville approves next step in bringing UF campus to cityPrivate lender says she lost nearly $70K after working with BG Ventures Investment Real Estate
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