US court upholds Mississippi law allowing extended counting of mail-in ballots

A federal court has upheld Mississippi’s law permitting the counting of mail-in ballots for up to five business days post-election.

Judge Louis Guirola Jr. of the Southern District of Mississippi ruled the state’s law complies with federal regulations as there is no specific federal mandate on absentee ballot counting.

This decision reinforces states’ rights to manage election procedures under the US Constitution.

Mississippi’s law requires mail-in ballots to be postmarked by Election Day, and the court affirmed allowing ballots to arrive late does not breach federal election laws.

This ruling follows a previous Fifth Circuit decision that emphasized states’ discretion in electoral matters.

The court’s decision could face appeal, potentially leading the Fifth Circuit to further address the issue of post-Election Day ballot counting.