Supreme Court Reconsiders Mail-In Ballot Deadlines

Clear Facts

• The Supreme Court heard arguments over whether states may count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day.
• Federal law sets a single Election Day, and the RNC argues ballots should be received by then.
• More than 30 states allow grace periods for late-arriving ballots, a practice opponents say delays results.

The Supreme Court is examining Watson v. RNC to decide whether federal law requires ballots to be received by Election Day.

The case could alter how national elections are run by ending the counting of late mail-in votes.

The Republican National Committee says ballots arriving after Election Day create confusion and weaken public trust.

It argues that Congress set a specific day for elections to conclude, not a window for ballots to arrive later.

“Ballots must be received by Election Day,” a spokeswoman for the Republican National Committee stated.

“elections must end on Election Day,” said RNC Chairman Joe Gruters.

Justice Neil Gorsuch questioned Mississippi’s grace period law and its lack of a limiting principle.

He raised concerns about a system that could allow almost anyone to handle and deliver a ballot after the deadline.

Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart defended the law and its five-day grace period for postmarked ballots.

Conservative advocates say uniform deadlines are needed to protect election integrity.

They argue that counting votes long after polls close invites risk and public skepticism.

“Today’s oral arguments in Watson v. RNC clearly shows where the Supreme Court should come down: state laws that count ballots received after Election Day violate federal law, expose elections to delays, invite fraud, and fuel public doubt in the democratic process,” said Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project.

“only a ruling ending late ballots can uphold the rule of law and preserve public trust in elections,” Snead added.

The Trump administration has also backed striking down these grace periods.

U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer said requiring all ballot boxes to close at the same time is a critical safeguard.

“Ensuring all ballot boxes close on the same day eliminates incentives and opportunities for fraudulent abuse,” Sauer wrote.

A final decision from the Supreme Court is expected by late June.

The ruling will likely determine whether the 2024 election follows strict federal deadlines or state-level receipt policies.

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