WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump criticized a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld state laws allowing election officials to count mailed ballots received after Election Day if they were postmarked by the statutory deadline, calling the decision harmful to election integrity and renewing his push for federal voting legislation.
Speaking to reporters after the court issued its 5-4 decision, Trump said the ruling was "detrimental to honest elections" and argued it "gives people more time to vote illegally." He said the decision made passage of the SAVE Act "even more important," referring to Republican-backed legislation that would tighten voter registration requirements, including proof of U.S. citizenship.
The Supreme Court ruled on June 29 that Mississippi's law permitting ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive up to five business days later does not conflict with federal statutes establishing a national Election Day. The decision preserves similar ballot-counting rules used in more than a dozen states and the District of Columbia ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's three liberal justices. The majority concluded that federal law governs when voters must cast their ballots but does not require election officials to receive every valid mailed ballot by the close of polls on Election Day.
The ruling rejected arguments advanced by the Republican National Committee and Mississippi Republicans, who had contended that federal election law requires ballots to be received by Election Day. Election officials in affected states had warned that overturning existing grace periods shortly before the midterm elections could create administrative disruption.
Trump has long criticized widespread mail voting, maintaining that it increases the risk of fraud, although numerous court decisions, election officials from both parties and previous investigations have found no evidence of fraud on a scale that would alter national election outcomes. The Supreme Court's decision did not address broader debates over mail voting but instead focused on the interpretation of federal election statutes governing Election Day.
Republican lawmakers have continued to advocate for the SAVE Act and other election-related measures, while Democrats and voting rights groups argue such proposals could make voting more difficult for eligible citizens. Congress had not enacted the legislation as of July 1.
The Supreme Court's ruling leaves existing mail ballot receipt deadlines in participating states unchanged unless altered through future legislation or additional court action.
