POLITICS

Supreme Court preserves states' right to count ballots

PUBLISHED Jun 29, 2026, 2:32 PM ET

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United States — On Monday, June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision upheld states' authority to count mail-in ballots that are postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive after Election Day, resolving a challenge stemming from a Mississippi case and rejecting an RNC effort to shorten receipt windows. The ruling immediately prompted statements from California and Washington election officials this week, who said the decision preserves existing seven-day receipt rules in California and avoids last-minute changes ahead of the November midterms; officials said they will continue voter education, multilingual outreach and administrative preparations to ensure ballots are processed under current state law.

By Daniel Hayes | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

States established postmark-and-receipt ballot rules prior to litigation, including California's seven-day receipt window.
Challenges were filed contesting states' authority to count late-arriving, postmarked ballots, including actions involving the RNC and Mississippi.
On June 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett affirming states' discretion.
June 29: California and Washington election officials issued statements praising the decision and outlining continued voter outreach.
Election administrators continued preparations for the upcoming November elections, advising voters and adjusting guidance where needed.

News Intelligence

This ruling safeguards your right to have your mail-in ballot counted, even if it arrives after Election Day. It means your vote can still count as long as it's postmarked by Election Day. So, make sure to check your state's specific rules on mail-in voting.

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Who Benefited

The decision benefits voters who use mail ballots, including military and overseas voters, election administrators and counties by preserving existing receipt windows and avoiding abrupt procedural changes that could disenfranchise those dependent on postal delivery.

Who Impacted

Advocates and officials seeking to tighten post-Election Day receipt rules, including some Republican lawmakers and groups pushing for stricter deadlines, experienced a judicial setback as the Court upheld state discretion to accept postmarked late-arriving ballots.

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