Additional Coverage:
- Court says Mississippi can’t count late ballots but the ruling doesn’t affect Nov. 5 vote (newsbreak.com)
Mississippi Mail-In Ballot Ruling
A federal court has ruled that Mississippi cannot count mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day, despite the decision not affecting the upcoming November 5th election.
The court stated that late ballot counting violates federal law, but held back from immediately blocking the practice. However, the ruling could have implications for future elections in swing states.
The decision reversed a previous ruling by a lower court judge who had dismissed a challenge to Mississippi’s election law. The case will likely be appealed to the Supreme Court.
Legal experts have criticized the appeals court’s decision, arguing that it goes against the precedent of allowing late ballots to be counted if postmarked by Election Day.
Republicans have praised the ruling, claiming it upholds “common-sense ballot safeguards.” Mississippi is among several states that allow mailed ballots to be counted if postmarked by Election Day, including swing states like Nevada.
The Mississippi challenge was led by Republicans and Libertarians, but there is bipartisan support for the state’s practice, with both the Attorney General and Secretary of State defending it.
The appellate panel that made the decision was appointed by former President Donald Trump.