The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Nevada and about a dozen other states that accept late-arriving mail ballots can continue to do so.
In a 5-4 decision, the higher court upheld a Mississippi law that allows mail votes to be counted up to five days after Election Day.
Nevada allows ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be accepted for up to four days after the election. Mail returned without a legible postmark is accepted for up to three days.
“Nevada’s elections will not change — we will continue to run safe, secure and accessible elections this year without the interference and intimidation of the federal government,” said Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar in a statement.
The Supreme Court case originated in Mississippi, where the Republican National Committee and the state’s Libertarian Party sued the state over a law that allows mail ballots postmarked by Election Day to be accepted for five subsequent days.
Attorney General Aaron Ford called the ruling a win for Nevada.
“Nevada’s elections are free, fair and safe, and Nevadans benefit from a range of choices in how to cast their vote — mail ballots included,” he said in a statement.” Our state has made it clear that we believe our citizens deserve to cast their ballots in the way that is easiest for them, and today’s decision ensures that Nevadans who cast their mail ballot by Election Day will have their legal votes counted.”
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Contact Ricardo Torres-Cortez at rtorres@reviewjournal.com.
