Supreme Court Considers Reviving Republican Challenge to Illinois Mail Ballots Law

By Editorial Team

The Supreme Court has agreed to consider reviving a Republican challenge to an Illinois law that allows mail ballots to be counted if they are received up to two weeks after Election Day. The case involves Rep. Mike Bost, R-Ill., and two former presidential electors who are questioning the legality of the law in federal court, arguing that candidates should have the right to challenge state regulations of federal elections.

Lower federal courts had previously ruled that the challengers lacked standing to sue over the law. However, the Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments in the fall to determine if the lawsuit can proceed.

President Donald Trump has been vocal about his concerns regarding late-arriving ballots and prolonged electoral counts, claiming that they undermine confidence in elections. In March, Trump signed an executive order on elections that aims to require votes to be “cast and received” by Election Day, conditioning federal funding on state compliance.

Illinois is one of 18 states and the District of Columbia that accept mailed ballots received after Election Day as long as they are postmarked on or before that date, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for election laws and procedures across the country.

This development comes amidst ongoing debates and legal battles over election laws and procedures in various states. The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter could potentially set a precedent for future challenges to election laws in federal court.