The Supreme Court has handed down a ruling on mail ballot deadlines, allowing states to keep their post-election grace periods. This decision is a defeat for President Donald Trump and Republicans, who had argued that federal law did not allow states to count postmarked mail ballots that arrive at election offices after Election Day.

Background

The case centered on Mississippi’s five-day mail ballot grace period, which had been struck down by the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court’s ruling upholds this grace period, and is seen as a victory for states’ rights. However, the court also took up a separate case that could have significant implications for voter rules, particularly with regards to proof of citizenship.

This case, RNC v. Mi Familia Vota, involves an Arizona law that requires proof of citizenship for voting. The Supreme Court will consider whether this law is constitutional, and whether states can conduct mass voter purges of suspected noncitizens in the days and weeks before an election. This decision could have significant implications for the 2028 election and beyond.

Implications

The Supreme Court’s ruling on mail ballot deadlines is seen as a narrow decision that does not deal with any constitutional issues. However, the court’s decision to take up the Arizona case could have significant implications for voter rules and election administration. The case is likely to be decided ahead of the 2028 election, and could give states the green light to implement their own voter rules, including proof of citizenship requirements.

President Trump has been a vocal advocate for stricter voter rules, and has pushed for federal legislation to restrict mail voting. However, the Supreme Court’s decision on the Arizona case could ultimately determine the ability of states to implement their own voter rules, regardless of federal legislation.

Original reporting: KEYT (Ventura/Santa Barbara) — read the source article.