government
Supreme Court says states can count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day
By Melissa Quinn at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 29, 2026
· 5 min read
Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count mail ballots that are cast by Election Day but arrive later, rejecting a GOP challenge to Mississippi law's for late-arriving ballots.In the closely watched election dispute known as Watson v. Republican National Committee...
Key takeaway Republican National Committee, the high court split 5 to 4 in finding that Mississippi's measure does not conflict with federal statutes that set Election Day as the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in certain years.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The Supreme Court's ruling on mail ballots has significant implications for Tarrant County voters, particularly in the upcoming midterm elections. With the court upholding Mississippi's law allowing late-arriving ballots to be counted, similar laws in Texas and other states are likely to remain in place. This means that Southlake residents who vote by mail can have confidence that their ballots will be tallied as long as they are postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive later. The decision also underscores the ongoing debate over voting laws in Texas, where lawmakers have proposed various measures to restrict or expand voting access. As the November elections approach, Southlake voters should be aware of the rules and deadlines for voting by mail, and take advantage of the option to ensure their voices are heard. The ruling may also impact local get-out-the-vote efforts and election administration in Tarrant County.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Washington — The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that states can count mail ballots that are cast by Election Day but arrive later, rejecting a GOP challenge to Mississippi law's for late-arriving ballots.In the closely watched election dispute known as Watson v. Republican National Committee...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Melissa Quinn at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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