Analysis of election results and expert commentary

5th Circuit Court Rules Mail-In Ballots Must Be Received by Election Day, Following RNC Lawsuit

Oct 25, 2024, 09:16 PM

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that all mail-in ballots must be received by Election Day, overriding state laws that allow ballots to arrive after Election Day. This decision, which affects states like Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, is based on the interpretation that federal law preempts state laws on this matter. However, the ruling will not be applied to the current year's election, which has already started. The decision impacts 18 states and the District of Columbia, where laws currently allow ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive shortly after. The ruling follows an RNC lawsuit and is seen as a seismic win for election integrity.