Americans have had their mail-in ballots counted after Election Day for generations − a Supreme Court ruling could end the practice

29 states allow mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted days after an election. A case before the Supreme Court could take that decision away from the states.

By: Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels, University of Kent, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 9, 2026

Words: 1,402

Last Updated: 19 hours, 4 minutes ago

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By Amanda Klekowski von Koppenfels, University of Kent

What is an election and when is it completed?

That’s the legal question at the heart of Watson v. Republican National Committee, the mail-in ballot case the U.S. Supreme Court took up in November 2025. The court will most likely hand down a ruling before the midterm elections in 2026.

Mississippi law, similar to that of 15 other states, allows for mail-in ballots postmarked by …

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