A recent decision by a conservative federal court has stated that Mississippi cannot count mail-in ballots that arrive shortly after Election Day. The ruling, issued by a three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, emphasized that counting late ballots, even if postmarked by Election Day, violates federal law. However, the judges did not immediately block Mississippi from continuing this practice, citing concerns about changing established procedures shortly before an election.
The decision is not expected to impact the upcoming Nov. 5 election in heavily Republican Mississippi. Still, it could have implications for voting in swing states if the case reaches the Supreme Court. The ruling reverses a previous decision by a U.S. District Judge and sends the case back for further action.
