A federal appeals court has struck down a Mississippi law that allowed mail-in ballots received within five days of the Nov. 5 election to be counted. The Republican National Committee and the Mississippi Republican Party brought a lawsuit, arguing that the law was in tension with federal law designating a specific day for the election. The panel of three judges, including Judge Andrew Oldham appointed by President Donald Trump, agreed with the plaintiffs and ruled in their favor.
Oldham pointed out that allowing ballots to be “cast” before they are received could lead to absurd scenarios, such as voters marking ballots and then putting them in a drawer. The ruling impacts Mississippi and Texas, the only states within the Fifth Circuit with such laws. Texas allows mailed ballots to be counted if they are received by the day after the election.
The decision could have broader implications, as federal courts in other areas might reach similar conclusions or the Supreme Court could rule nationally on the issue. The Republican National Committee praised the decision as a win for election integrity and voter transparency. Mississippi officials, including the Circuit Clerk and Election Commissioners, will now follow the law as dictated by the court ruling.
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