States Push Mail Ballot Limits Ahead of High-Stakes Court Ruling

A Supreme Court case considering Mississippi’s mail ballot deadline is drawing national attention, but states are already moving to tighten similar rules regardless of how the justices rule.

At issue is whether ballots must be received, rather than simply postmarked, by Election Day, a change that could affect 14 states that allow grace periods for late-arriving mail ballots.

The Republican National Committee and state GOP leaders brought the challenge, arguing federal law requires ballots to be both cast and received by Election Day. Mississippi officials, including the state’s solicitor general, have defended the law, saying the deadline governs when votes ...