The Supreme Court on Monday, in a 5-4 decision, upheld state laws that allow the counting of late-arriving mail-in ballots even if they were postmarked by Election Day. Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote that federal law does not block Mississippi from counting absentee ballots that arrive as late as five days after election day. The court's three liberal justices joined her opinion, along with Chief Justice John Roberts. Conservative Samuel Alito wrote a dissenting opinion, joined by three of his colleagues on the right, saying the majority opinion quote creates a serious risk of further undermining public confidence in our elections and our system of self-government.
New York Attorney General Letitia James issued the following statement in reaction to the ruling:
The right to vote has been a sacred promise for generations. All eligible Americans should be able to exercise that constitutional right, free from roadblocks and unnecessary restrictions.
Those who cast their ballots on time in accordance with state laws should never be afraid that their vote will not be counted.
We are stronger as a nation when more people vote. The Supreme Court has upheld this in principle, but it is up to us to make it a reality. Go out, vote, and make your voice heard. My office will never stop fighting to protect your right to do so.
