The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear Watson v. Republican National Committee—a major election-law case that will determine whether federal law requires mail-in ballots to be received by Election Day or simply cast by then.
The dispute centers on a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to arrive up to five business days later and still count. More than 30 states use similar grace-period rules.
The Fifth Circuit struck down Mississippi’s approach, holding that because federal law requires ballots to be cast by Election Day, states cannot count ballots received—effectively cast—after Election Day.
Mississippi agrees that federal law sets the day for casting ballots, but argues that ballots may be received after Election Day so long as they were cast on or before it.
Why this matters:
• The ruling could reshape how states administer mail-in and absentee voting.
• It raises important questions about federal versus state authority in election regulation.
• With close elections becoming more common, clear rules around ballot deadlines are crucial for election integrity and public confidence.
This is a significant case, and the Supreme Court’s decision will have nationwide implications heading into future election cycles. At First & Fourteenth, we’ll be watching this case closely and following each stage of its development as the Court moves toward a final decision.