Fifth Circuit Rules Against Mississippi Mail-in Ballot Law

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Mississippi's law allowing absentee ballots to be counted if received up to five days after Election Day violates federal law. The court stated that federal law designates Election Day as the deadline for ballots to be both cast and received, emphasizing that 'ballots must be both cast by voters and received by state officials' on this day. The ruling, which was a response to a lawsuit by the Republican National Committee, sends the case back to a lower court, leaving the immediate implications for the upcoming Nov. 5 election unclear. While the decision primarily affects Mississippi, its reasoning could challenge similar absentee ballot laws in about 20 other states, including Nevada. Legal experts and commentators highlighted the ruling's potential to shape future voting regulations, especially in swing states, while also noting that it is unlikely to impact the election process in Mississippi significantly. Critics of the ruling argue that it undermines voting accessibility, as similar laws have been upheld in other jurisdictions.