Feb 17 β€’ 15:02 UTC πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ USA Fox News

Election integrity groups press Supreme Court to require ballots by Election Day

A coalition of election integrity groups is urging the Supreme Court to enforce a requirement for mail ballots to be received by Election Day.

A coalition of election integrity groups, including notable organizations such as the Honest Elections Project and the Center for Election Confidence, has filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court, advocating for the upholding of a lower court ruling that mandates mail ballots to be received by Election Day. This appeal supports the Republican National Committee's challenge against Mississippi's postmark deadline, positing that under federal law, all ballots should be in the possession of election officials by the end of polling hours on Election Day. The outcome of this case could set a precedent impacting similar postmark deadlines across 14 states as the nation prepares for the 2026 midterms.

The groups backing the RNC argue that a decision favoring the lower court's ruling would provide clarity around the timeline for ballot receipt, which they believe is crucial for maintaining election integrity. However, critics of the move contend that enforcing such a standard could limit the acceptance of late-arriving ballots, which does not necessarily prevent election officials from needing to count ballots from tightly contested races even after Election Day. Therefore, while the ruling could simplify regulations regarding ballot deadlines, it raises questions about the administration of elections in close-fought jurisdictions.

This push from election integrity advocates reflects ongoing national debates about voting procedures and standards, especially in the lead-up to significant midterm elections. The implications of the Supreme Court's decision could resonate beyond Mississippi, potentially reshaping mail-in voting laws and practices in other states, as well as influencing future federal legislation regarding election administration.

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