January 1, Supreme Court Eyes Limits on Mail Ballot Deadlines

Wyatt’s Take

• Justice Gorsuch warned that once a loophole is opened, someone will eventually exploit it to swing an election.
• The RNC argues that federal law sets a specific day for elections, not a week-long window.
• Justice Kavanaugh raised concerns about how late counting harms the public perception of a fair and honest vote.

The Supreme Court is signaling it may finally put its foot down on election integrity. Several justices are questioning why states are allowed to count mail-in ballots that arrive days after the polls close.

Mississippi currently allows ballots to be counted up to five days late as long as they are postmarked on time. This opens a dangerous door for rule-breaking and chaos in our voting system.

During the hearing, Justice Clarence Thomas pushed for clarity on when an election result is actually final. He asked why the rules change depending on which state you live in.

“When do I know whether or not a choice is final?” Thomas asked.

Justice Neil Gorsuch pointed out that allowing late arrivals could lead to neighbors or political operatives handling ballots instead of the post office.

“If history teaches anything… it’s that as soon as something is allowed, it will happen eventually,” Gorsuch noted.

Lawyers for the RNC believe that the federal statute should be the final word on when voting ends. They argue that waiting days for results creates an environment where fraud can thrive.

Ensuring that every legal vote is cast by Election Day is the only way to keep our system secure and trusted by the people.

Wyatt Matters

Working people deserve clear election rules and results they can trust. Protecting ballot deadlines helps preserve confidence in the process and the integrity of every vote.

Supreme Court Considers Stripping Post-Election Day Ballot Counting