Supreme Court Upholds State Mail Voting Laws, Avoids Chaos Before Midterm Elections

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed that states may accept mail ballots that are postmarked by Election Day, even if election officials receive them on a later date. The decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee will preserve mail ballot grace periods across 14 states and D.C.

Samantha Tarazi, Voting Rights Lab Co-Founder and CEO, issued the following statement in response: 

“Today’s decision avoids the chaos of a last-minute overhaul to state election rules — and it’s a major setback for the Trump administration. It protects the voices of military voters, rural voters, and millions of other Americans who vote by mail. These voters can remain confident their mail ballot will count this November.

“Despite this victory, we cannot lose sight of the broader threats to Americans who vote early or by mail. Between the president’s March 2026 executive order and ongoing USPS rulemaking, state and local leaders must step up to defend early and mail voting options for all Americans.”

Ahead of the decision, Voting Rights Lab released a report detailing how states with mail ballot grace periods can prevent voter confusion and ensure every eligible vote counts. To read the report, which includes state-by-state policy prescriptions, click here.

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Voting Rights Lab is a nonpartisan, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that brings state policy and legislative expertise to the fight for voting rights. We work in partnership with organizations across the country to secure, protect, and defend the voting rights of all Americans. And we track voting laws and legislation in all 50 states at tracker.votingrightslab.org.