The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Dec. 29, 2025
Ohio has joined Kansas in eliminating a grace period for mail-in ballots arriving after election day. A U.S. Supreme Court case from Mississippi could potentially eliminate mail ballot grace periods nationwide, disenfranchising tens of thousands.
In March 2025, the GOP-dominated Kansas legislature repealed its 2017 three-day grace period law, and as of 2026, requires ballots to be received on or before election day.
With the erosion of U.S. Postal Service delivery standards, several states added grace periods to count late-arriving mail ballots. But that was before President Donald Trump partially and baselessly blamed his 2020 loss on mail-in ballots, and in March 2025 issued an already court-challenged executive order requiring that all voting occur on election day.
On December 19th, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed SB 293, eliminating that state’s four-day grace period for absentee ballots. About 8,000 ballots arrived after election day in 2024, according to Secretary of State testimony on the bill.
DeWine said he QUOTE “reluctantly” signed the bill due to the pending U.S. Supreme Court case, Watson v. Republican National Committee, challenging Mississippi’s grace period law. That case will be heard next year, and impacts as many as 14 other states with similar laws.
We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
The White House – PRESERVING AND PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF AMERICAN ELECTIONS
Kansas Legislature – Senate Bill 4
Kansas Reflector – Kansas Legislature overrides governor’s veto of bill to limit advance voting
BOLTS Magazine – Trump Wants Mail Votes to Arrive By Election Day. Red States Are Rushing to Toe the Line.
Ohio Capital Journal – Gov. DeWine weighing whether to eliminate Ohio’s absentee ballot grace period
Ohio Capital Journal – Ohio Gov. DeWine signs property tax bills, ‘reluctantly’ approves new voting restrictions
Brennan Center for Justice – (2024) Mail Voting Accuracy
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU Ohio, National Vote at Home Institute, Ohio Voice
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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