The Supreme Court has ruled that Mississippi can continue to count absentee ballots received after Election Day, provided they are postmarked by Election Day. This 5-4 decision, authored by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, rejected a Republican challenge that argued such votes are invalid under federal law. The ruling affirmed that federal election statutes do not prevent states from accepting absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but received within a grace period afterward, a principle that allows lawful ballots cast on time to be counted. This outcome impacts ongoing efforts to restrict mail-in voting and is seen as a victory for voter access, despite a dissenting opinion arguing it postpones the electorate’s final decision.
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A recent federal court ruling has put a significant halt to an executive order from the Trump administration that would have permitted the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) to refuse delivery of mail-in ballots. This decision, handed down by a judge, appears to be a crucial victory for those concerned about voter access and the integrity of the electoral process, especially as the nation heads into a significant election cycle. The judge’s reasoning, as understood from discussions, emphasized a fundamental point: the Constitution does not inherently grant the President broad authority over election administration. This assertion suggests that attempts to manipulate the delivery of ballots, particularly mail-in ballots which have seen increased use and reliance, go beyond the executive’s established powers.… Continue reading
Millions of young Americans turn 18 each year, yet under a third are registered to vote due to systemic barriers. Low youth turnout stems not from apathy, but from a lack of access and support within current registration systems, which often exclude those without driver’s licenses or proper online registration options. A practical solution involves integrating voter registration into high school education, a universal touchpoint for young citizens, to ensure a more equitable and accessible path to democratic participation. This approach has proven effective in states that have prioritized empowering young voters.
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Four Republican senators have bucked the party line, voting against the inclusion of the SAVE America Act in a budget package. This decision, while seemingly a small detail in the grand scheme of legislative maneuvering, highlights a significant internal division within the GOP and raises questions about the party’s direction, particularly concerning voter access and election integrity. The senators in question – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Thom Tillis of North Carolina, and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky – have all, at various times, been seen as more moderate members of the Republican conference, and their dissent on this particular issue underscores a growing rift between establishment Republicans and the more MAGA-aligned wing of the party.… Continue reading
New Hampshire’s Secretary of State, David Scanlan, has stated that the state will not alter its election practices in response to President Trump’s executive order restricting mail-in voting. Scanlan emphasized that the federal government cannot override New Hampshire’s constitutional authority to conduct elections and that the state’s existing procedures ensure election security and transparency. This stance reaffirms New Hampshire’s long-held position that states, not the federal government, determine election rules and processes, particularly regarding voter registration and ballot accessibility.
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Following the Republican-controlled State Board of Elections’ closure of campus polling places at Western Carolina University, UNC Greensboro, and NC A&T, students now face significant distances to vote. Despite a federal judge rejecting a lawsuit to reopen these sites and election officials downplaying the impact, hundreds of students in North Carolina have organized marches and utilized shuttle services to reach their new, distant polling locations. This situation is viewed by students as part of broader Republican efforts to restrict voting access, echoing historical struggles for civil rights on college campuses.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood