Grace Period Archives

The Supreme Court’s Conservatives Appear Likely to End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods, Affecting Dozens of State Laws and Millions of Voters

March 24, 2026March 24, 2026

During oral arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee on March 23rd, the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority appeared ready to end grace periods for mail-in ballots. A decision could come in the early summer, four months before the midterm.

March 23rd, U.S. Supreme Court Hears Mississippi Case Which Could Impact Mail-in Ballots in 14 or More States

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026

The U.S. Supreme Court hears Watson v. Republican National Committee Monday, March 23rd. It’s a Mississippi case determining whether the U.S. Constitution and federal law allow states to offer grace periods for otherwise eligible mail-in ballots to be counted after election day. The outcome could affect tens of thousands of voters in 14 or more states.

Updates on Two Pending U.S. Supreme Court Democracy Cases: California’s Prop 50 Redistricting, and Mississippi’s Mail Ballot Deadline

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026

We have updates on two important U.S. Supreme Court cases we’ve been following. Submitted briefs are complete in the GOP emergency challenge to California’s midterm congressional redistricting; and a March date has been set for oral arguments in Mississippi’s mail ballot deadline case.

Think Your Mail-in Ballot Gets Automatically Postmarked on the Day You Drop it Off? Think Again.

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026

Most Americans assume that postal mail is postmarked the day it is received. But in August 2025, the U.S. Postal Service clarified its rules for “Postmarks and Postal Possession.” While the post office says it hasn’t changed its policy, its new definition has ramifications for your mailed financial and tax documents, and importantly, your absentee or mail-in ballot.

Trump’s Executive Order on Elections Handed Another Defeat, as Federal Court Upholds a State’s Right to Set Ballot Deadlines, Choose Methods

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections took yet another hit January 9th, as a federal judge blocked portions of the order trying to dictate election and ballot deadlines, what voting systems can be used, and blocking federal funding for non-compliant states.

American Democracy Minute

Tag: Grace Period

The Supreme Court’s Conservatives Appear Likely to End Mail-In Ballot Grace Periods, Affecting Dozens of State Laws and Millions of Voters

March 23rd, U.S. Supreme Court Hears Mississippi Case Which Could Impact Mail-in Ballots in 14 or More States

Updates on Two Pending U.S. Supreme Court Democracy Cases: California’s Prop 50 Redistricting, and Mississippi’s Mail Ballot Deadline

Think Your Mail-in Ballot Gets Automatically Postmarked on the Day You Drop it Off? Think Again.

Trump’s Executive Order on Elections Handed Another Defeat, as Federal Court Upholds a State’s Right to Set Ballot Deadlines, Choose Methods