Supreme Court Preserves States' Power to Count Late Mail Ballots

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 on June 29 that states may accept mail-in ballots in federal races after Election Day. The decision protects post-Election Day receipt windows in roughly 30 states, including Mississippi, which accepts ballots up to five business days late. The RNC argued federal law preempted these extensions. The Court disagreed, preserving administrative flexibility ahead of 2026.