Supreme Court Lets States Decide Mail Ballots | Topeka News

Topeka News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jun 29, 2026 · 2m

The Supreme Court just ruled that states—not the federal government—get to decide whether mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day can still be counted if they arrive a few days later, letting more than half the states and D.C. keep their grace periods. Kansas, however, sticks to its strict deadline: ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Justice Barrett’s opinion affirmed state control over election rules and sidestepped the need for federal intervention, while also preserving existing systems for military voters. The decision underscores how election laws vary widely across…