A federal appeals court has ruled that Mississippi’s policy of counting mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days later violates federal law.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, composed of Trump-appointed judges, determined that ballots must be cast and received by Election Day. While the decision won’t affect the upcoming election, it sets the stage for a potential Supreme Court challenge, impacting states with similar rules.
Legal expert Rick Hasen criticized the ruling as inconsistent with precedent, noting that other courts have upheld states’ authority over ballot deadlines.
The Republican National Committee celebrated the decision as a win for election integrity.
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