The Supreme Court handed down a series of consequential decisions Monday affecting voting rights and presidential authority. In a 5-4 decision, the court upheld Mississippi’s absentee ballot law, allowing election officials to count ballots postmarked by Election Day that arrive up to five business days later.

Voting Rights

This ruling leaves intact similar laws in 18 states and territories, as well as separate grace periods many states provide for military and overseas voters. The decision overturns a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit that interpreted federal Election Day statutes to prohibit counting ballots received after Election Day, even when voters complied with every deadline established by state law.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which filed a friend-of-the-court brief, argued that the appeals court’s interpretation would have disrupted long-standing absentee ballot laws and disproportionately affected voters with disabilities, rural residents, older Americans, military personnel serving overseas, and working people who depend on voting by mail.

Implications

The issue extends well beyond Mississippi. According to court filings, 18 states and territories permit ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted after they arrive within a prescribed period. Another dozen states provide similar grace periods for military and overseas ballots.

The Supreme Court also agreed to hear a challenge involving Arizona’s voter registration laws, setting up another closely watched election case during its next term. The dispute centers on Arizona laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship for certain voter registrations and voter-roll maintenance procedures that lower courts found conflict with federal election law.

In another decision, the Supreme Court declined to hear President Donald Trump’s appeal of the $5 million civil judgment awarded to writer E. Jean Carroll, leaving intact a New York jury’s finding that Trump sexually abused and defamed her.

Original reporting: The Washington Informer — read the source article.