government
Supreme Court upholds late-arriving mail ballots in Mississippi
By Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News
· June 29, 2026
· 1 min read
The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received up to five business days later.In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that federal election law requires ballots to be cast by Election Day but does no...
Key takeaway In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that federal election law requires ballots to be cast by Election Day but does not require election officials to receive them by that date.
Why this matters in The Waco
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Mississippi's law on late-arriving mail ballots has implications for Texas, where McLennan County election officials often grapple with the logistics of mail-in voting. As one of the 30 states with similar laws, Texas allows mail ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received shortly after. This ruling could influence the handling of mail-in ballots in local elections, potentially increasing the number of votes counted in Waco area elections. With the court's clarification on federal election law, election officials in McLennan County may be able to process mail ballots more efficiently, reducing the risk of disenfranchisement for voters who submit their ballots by mail. The decision may also inform discussions around election reform in the Texas legislature, where lawmakers have debated the nuances of mail-in voting in recent sessions.
About this story
Original reporting by KXXV (ABC 25) News . The Waco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KXXV (ABC 25) News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KXXV (ABC 25) News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court on Monday upheld a Mississippi law that allows mail-in ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received up to five business days later.In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that federal election law requires ballots to be cast by Election Day but does no...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KXXV (ABC 25) News and curated for The Waco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at KXXV (ABC 25) News. To learn more about how The Waco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Waco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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