The Supreme Court ruled on Monday that state laws permitting mail-in ballots to be counted after Election Day are constitutional. The decision delivered a setback to President Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten election regulations.
The ruling provides relief to 18 states that currently have grace periods for late-arriving ballots. Those states can now continue accepting ballots postmarked by Election Day for a specified number of days afterward.
The case centered on whether federal election law overrides state provisions for counting ballots received within a reasonable time after polls close. The Court found no conflict with existing statutes.
The majority opinion emphasized that states have broad authority to set election rules under the Constitution. It noted that grace periods help ensure every valid vote is counted without compromising election integrity.
Dissenting justices argued the decision could undermine public confidence in timely results. They warned it might lead to confusion about when elections officially end.
The ruling marks another legal loss for the Trump administration, which has pushed for stricter voting rules in multiple states. Lower courts had previously blocked similar federal efforts.
Election officials in several affected states welcomed the clarity. They said the decision allows them to plan for upcoming elections without legal uncertainty.
Voter advocacy groups praised the outcome as a win for access to the ballot. They argued that mail-in voting remains essential for many Americans, especially during health emergencies.
