The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a case that could significantly impact millions of ballots cast in recent elections. The Republican National Committee is suing several states, including Mississippi, over the counting of late-arriving mail-in ballots.
According to the GOP's argument, a 1872 law requires federal elections to take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every even-numbered year. However, this law does not explicitly state that late-arriving ballots should be discarded. The Republican Party claims that no one noticed this restriction for over 150 years, despite it being a crucial aspect of election law.
Critics argue that the GOP's legal theory is based on a thin and unconvincing argument. A 5th Circuit court ruling in support of this claim was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, which typically reviews and potentially tosses out lower court decisions deemed poorly reasoned.
The stakes are high, as many Democrats have been mailing their ballots before Election Day, making them more susceptible to being disqualified under this theory. This has led some to accuse President Donald Trump of trying to restrict mail voting in an effort to limit Democratic voters.
While the Supreme Court's decision to take up the case may raise concerns about partisan interference with elections, it is unlikely that the justices will adopt the Republican Party's weak legal argument. Even if they do, the outcome would likely be limited by a lack of support from other justices.
As the court considers this high-profile case, many are watching anxiously for signs of how the justices might interpret election law and its impact on future elections.
According to the GOP's argument, a 1872 law requires federal elections to take place on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, every even-numbered year. However, this law does not explicitly state that late-arriving ballots should be discarded. The Republican Party claims that no one noticed this restriction for over 150 years, despite it being a crucial aspect of election law.
Critics argue that the GOP's legal theory is based on a thin and unconvincing argument. A 5th Circuit court ruling in support of this claim was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, which typically reviews and potentially tosses out lower court decisions deemed poorly reasoned.
The stakes are high, as many Democrats have been mailing their ballots before Election Day, making them more susceptible to being disqualified under this theory. This has led some to accuse President Donald Trump of trying to restrict mail voting in an effort to limit Democratic voters.
While the Supreme Court's decision to take up the case may raise concerns about partisan interference with elections, it is unlikely that the justices will adopt the Republican Party's weak legal argument. Even if they do, the outcome would likely be limited by a lack of support from other justices.
As the court considers this high-profile case, many are watching anxiously for signs of how the justices might interpret election law and its impact on future elections.
This is getting ridiculous, can't we just have one standard set of rules? 
And what's with these 150-year gaps where no one noticed this 'rule'? Sounds like some selective amnesia to me 
Mail-in ballots are the future, let's get on board already! 
The GOP's trying to turn back the clock on mail-in voting, but it's like they think people just forget to check a law that hasn't been relevant in 150 years 
This whole thing is super weird... like what's the big deal about mail-in ballots? Can't we just count 'em all at the end? 
Not cool, GOP. And what's with all the back-and-forth between the Supreme Court and lower courts? Can't they just make up their minds already? 
I'm low-key freaking out about this one... have you seen the timelines for when ballots need to be mailed in order to count? It's like, super tight! 
and i'm so glad the supreme court is reviewing this case because if trump is behind it then we need to make sure that his party doesnt get away with this 
and i'm so worried about all the democrats who have been mailing in their ballots only to have them disqualified under this stupid law 
my gut tells me the Republicans are trying to pull some shady stuff and limit Democratic voters' power 
. This case could set back democracy big time 
, so fingers crossed the SCOTUS sees through their weak argument 
.