Tag: Mississippi

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

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

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.
Can Mail-In Ballots, Eligible in Every Other Way, Be Counted if They Arrive After Election Day? The Question will be Heard in the U.S. Supreme Court

Can Mail-In Ballots, Eligible in Every Other Way, Be Counted if They Arrive After Election Day?  The Question will be Heard in the U.S. Supreme Court

Mail-in ballots are increasingly popular with voters.  But when the U.S. Postal Service doesn’t deliver an otherwise eligible mail-in ballot in time by no fault of the voter, should it still be counted?   The U.S. Supreme Court just accepted a case which could potentially disenfranchise those voters.

What is the ‘Gingles Test’ and How Does it Help Decide Voting Rights Act Cases?

Today, we’re looking at a principle called the “Gingles Test” that federal courts use  when determining whether a gerrymandered redistricting map is a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.   How that test is interpreted can determine whether minority voters can elect the candidate of their choice, or their vote is diluted by an anti-voter state legislature.