{"id":2582941,"date":"2026-03-23T14:44:01","date_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:44:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/counting-late-mail-ballots-could-undermine-concept-of-election-day\/"},"modified":"2026-03-23T14:46:54","modified_gmt":"2026-03-23T18:46:54","slug":"counting-late-mail-ballots-could-undermine-concept-of-election-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/counting-late-mail-ballots-could-undermine-concept-of-election-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Counting late mail ballots could undermine concept of &#8216;Election Day&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fcounting-late-mail-ballots-could-undermine-concept-of-election-day%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2582941&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The Supreme Court weighed Mississippi\u2019s late-ballot rule in Watson v.Republican National Committee, examining whether federal law that defines Election Day as the deadline for voters to cast ballots preempts Mississippi\u2019s provision allowing mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be received up to five days afterward. The RNC argues that election day serves as the deadline for ballot submissions under federal law,while Mississippi maintains that the deadline is when voters make their choice,not when the ballots are received. During oral arguments, Justices including Neil Gorsuch adn Clarence Thomas pressed Mississippi\u2019s position with skeptical questions about scenarios such as ballots handed to a neighbor or ballots mailed after election Day but counted if postmarked earlier, and about whether ballots could be recalled or manipulated after submission. Justice Alito voiced concern about the potential for unlimited late-ballot acceptance under the state&#8217;s definition. Mississippi Solicitor General scott Stewart faced sharp questioning, and RNC counsel Paul Clement defended the view that deadlines could affect broader election practices, including early voting. A decision is expected by the end of June, with potential implications for the November general elections, as the Court has been considering several election-related cases this term.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Supreme Court worried that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/election-lawsuits-poised-to-ramp-up-after-supreme-court-ruling\/\" title=\"...uits poised to ramp up after ... ruling\">counting late mail ballots<\/a> could undermine concept of &lsquo;Election Day&rsquo;<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2531593\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/section\/news\/supreme-court\/\" type=\"category\" id=\"11310\">Supreme Court<\/a> appeared uneasy on Monday with the implications of Mississippi&rsquo;s late-arriving <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mail-in-voting\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"9918\">mail ballot<\/a> law &mdash; and how defining &ldquo;Election Day&rdquo; by when voters make their decisions, rather than by when the state receives their ballots, could create a mess of other issues.<\/p>\n<p>The high court heard arguments in <em>Watson v. Republican National Committee<\/em>, in which the justices will decide if federal law setting Election Day should preempt a Mississippi law that allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be received up to five days afterward. The RNC has argued that federal law bars the state law, because Election Day serves as the deadline for officials to receive ballots, while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/mississippi\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"528\">Mississippi<\/a> officials argue instead that Election Day is the deadline for voters to cast their ballots.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4500051\/rnc-court-battles-election-integrity-voter-id\/\">RNC bets on courts to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rnc-turns-to-courts-as-save-america-act-stalls-in-congress\/\" title=\"... turns to ...s as SAVE America Act stalls in Congress\">enact voter integrity measures<\/a> as SAVE America Act stalls<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4495764\/supreme-court-debate-election-day-mail-ballots-case\/\">Supreme Court will debate meaning of &#8216;Election Day&#8217; in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-will-debate-meaning-of-election-day-in-late-mail-ballots-case\/\" title=\"... will debate meaning of &#039;...&#039; in ... ... case\">late mail ballots case<\/a><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4498692\/supreme-court-allows-pastor-sue-protest-law-he-violated\/\">Supreme Court allows pastor to sue over protest law he violated<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Mississippi Solicitor General Scott Stewart was grilled by several justices early into Monday morning&rsquo;s oral arguments over the implications of the state&rsquo;s argument about what Election Day means.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Clarence Thomas challenged the state by asking whether, under its definition of Election Day, a voter&rsquo;s ballot would count if he filled it out by Election Day but handed it to a neighbor rather than mailing it. Stewart answered that while the voter would have made a choice by Election Day, that choice would not be made official unless the voter mailed the ballot that day.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Neil Gorsuch asked various sharp questions of Stewart, appearing deeply skeptical of Mississippi&rsquo;s argument. Gorsuch began his questioning by asking why mailing a ballot is the only permissible way to verify someone voted by Election Day under Mississippi&rsquo;s argument. He questioned why a notary public would not be able to verify a ballot was filled out on Election Day and have the ballot count, even if it is sent to election officials by any method after Election Day, under Mississippi&rsquo;s definition of Election Day as the deadline for voters to choose candidates, but not for the state to receive ballots.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;How about a time-stamp video showing that I voted on Election Day? Here I am filling out my ballot, and then my brother or maybe some aggregator of ballots brings it in a week or three later, that&rsquo;s got to be OK too, doesn&rsquo;t it?&rdquo; Gorsuch asked.<\/p>\n<p>Stewart responded that it would not be the same as submitting the ballot to the state, which he considered mailing the ballot by Election Day.<\/p>\n<p>Gorsuch also questioned how a voter casting their ballot on Election Day and mailing it that day could be considered as having taken a final action, given that the voter could call the mail service, such as the U.S. Postal Service or FedEx, and recall their mailed ballot before it reaches election officials. He used the hypothetical of a candidate scandal surfacing one day after Election Day, prompting a voter to change their mind about having voted by mail for the candidate the previous day and recalling the ballot before it is counted.<\/p>\n<p>Stewart denied that voters would be allowed to recall their mail ballots, but Gorsuch pushed back by asking how the state could ensure that does not happen, and how the state would be able to go after people who try to recall their mail votes.<\/p>\n<p>Justice Samuel Alito also voiced concern over how there appears to be no limit on how late a state can accept late ballots, as long as they were cast by Election Day, under Mississippi&rsquo;s definition of election deadlines under federal law.<\/p>\n<p>The RNC was also grilled on how its view of Election Day could affect early voting, which is available in more states than the 14 that have late-arriving ballot laws. Paul Clement, the lawyer arguing for the RNC, dismissed concerns that capping ballot receipt on Election Day would affect early voting.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4495764\/supreme-court-debate-election-day-mail-ballots-case\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4495764\">SUPREME COURT WILL DEBATE MEANING OF &lsquo;ELECTION DAY&rsquo; IN LATE MAIL BALLOTS CASE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The Supreme Court is expected to rule in the pivotal election case by the end of June, months ahead of the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2026-election\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"11675\">midterm elections<\/a> in November. Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Clement whether a June decision would cause problems for the November elections, to which the RNC lawyer said there would be plenty of time to adjust deadlines because it would affect only the general election, not primary elections.<\/p>\n<p>During the current term, the justices have heard several election-related cases, including on&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/4418260\/supreme-court-opens-floodgates-candidates-challenging-election-laws\/\">candidates&rsquo; ability to sue<\/a>&nbsp;over election laws,&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3909203\/supreme-court-consider-walking-back-campaign-spending-limits-further\/\">campaign finance laws<\/a>, and&nbsp;<a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/supreme-court\/3851141\/brett-kavanaugh-questions-endpoint-race-based-redistricting-voting-rights-act\/\"><a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >race-based congressional redistricting<\/a><\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Court wary: late ballots could blur Election Day<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2638,"featured_media":2582942,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26058702012540_40a9c8.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[76389,76388,59297,75665],"class_list":["post-2582941","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-ballot-counting-2","tag-election-day-2","tag-election-integrity-2","tag-mail-in-voting-2"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/AP26058702012540_40a9c8.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582941","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2638"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2582941"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582941\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2582945,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2582941\/revisions\/2582945"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2582942"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2582941"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2582941"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2582941"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}