Judge dismisses RNC lawsuit to block Mississippi from counting late ballots
SUMMARY
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit from the Republican National Committee seeking to block Mississippi from counting absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day but received up to five days late. U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. ruled that Mississippi’s procedure is in line with federal law and does not breach election statutes. This follows a similar ruling in Nevada. The RNC argued that Mississippi’s policy extended the federal election date and diluted timely ballots. However, Guirola affirmed that Mississippi’s law, which allows counting of absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day and received within five business days, is consistent with federal regulations. Mississippi joins 20 other states with similar practices, including Nevada, Colorado, Oregon, and Utah.
