Judge Dismisses Republican Lawsuit on Absentee Ballot Counting in Mississippi

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee aimed at preventing Mississippi from counting absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days afterward. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. ruled on Sunday, marking the second recent dismissal of a similar lawsuit by federal courts. Guirola stated that Mississippi's procedures for counting these ballots align with federal law and do not violate the Elections Clause or related statutes. The lawsuit, initiated in January, involved the Republican National Committee, the Mississippi Republican Party, and local election officials, who argued that the state's practices extended the federal election beyond the designated date, potentially diluting valid ballots with late ones. The Libertarian Party of Mississippi later joined the legal challenge, which was consolidated with the Republican case. In his ruling, Judge Guirola emphasized that Mississippi law does not allow for a "final selection" of votes after Election Day; rather, it permits the counting of ballots cast on or before that date. This decision aligns with practices in several other states, including Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah, which also allow for the counting of mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day. The ruling underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding absentee voting procedures in various states, as election officials navigate the complexities of mail-in voting amid changing regulations and political challenges.