A major U.S. Supreme Court case is poised to influence how future elections are conducted in Nevada and several other states that count mail ballots arriving after Election Day.
The court recently agreed to consider a challenge from Mississippi, where existing law allows ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted for up to five days after polls close.
Mail-Ballot Deadlines Under Scrutiny
Mississippi Case Sparks Nationwide Attention
The case the Supreme Court accepted questions Mississippi’s policy permitting mail ballots with an Election Day postmark to be tallied for nearly a week afterward.
Nevada currently allows four days for ballots with a postmark to arrive and three days for ballots lacking a postmark.
Nevada’s Previous Ruling
Last year, the Nevada Supreme Court upheld these deadlines, rejecting an appeal by the Republican National Committee (RNC), Donald Trump’s campaign, and the Nevada Republican Party. Republican challengers argued that extended ballot counting jeopardizes trust in election results.
Trump’s Executive Action
After winning Nevada in 2024, Trump signed a late-March Executive Order directing federal agencies to enforce laws requiring ballots to be both cast and received by Election Day.
Why the Supreme Court Case Matters Beyond Mississippi
According to the Democratic National Committee (DNC), the case could reshape election rules nationwide.
The party stated that the ruling “has implications in dozens of states” where ballots cast before Election Day may still arrive late due to mail delays.
Nevada Legislature Moves to Protect Mail Voting
On Wednesday, Nevada lawmakers approved a resolution asking voters in 2028 whether the state Constitution should formally protect mail-in voting.
Parties Respond: Trust, Timing, and Transparency
Republican Perspective
Republicans praised the Supreme Court’s decision to take the case.
RNC Chairman Joe Gruters said counting large batches of late-arriving ballots “undermines trust and confidence in our elections.”
State Officials Push Back
Nevada Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar highlighted that in 2024, over 98% of mail ballots in Clark and Washoe counties arrived by Election Day.
He emphasized that the real challenge lies in counties’ ability to process ballots quickly, noting that federal funding for election systems has been inconsistent.
Silence From Key Offices
Nevada’s major political parties did not issue statements, and local election offices redirected inquiries to Aguilar. The governor’s and attorney general’s offices were also not immediately available for comment.
Legal Briefs Highlight Conflicting Concerns
Conservative Group Cites Past Nevada Elections
An amicus brief from the Center for Election Confidence argued that delays in receiving ballots in recent U.S. Senate races created “bipartisan and needless frustration.”
Nevada Joins Counter-Amicus
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford supported a counter-filing claiming that enforcing a strict Election Day arrival rule could trigger mass litigation over ballots mailed on time but delayed by postal issues.
The brief warned that unresolved legal questions might force emergency Supreme Court intervention during the next election cycle.
Expected Timeline
The Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in the coming months, with a decision potentially arriving by late June.
DNC Responds
DNC Chair Ken Martin said Republicans aim to limit voter participation, adding that higher turnout traditionally disadvantages the GOP.
Debate Over Voter Access and Ballot Deadlines
Arguments From Election Integrity Advocates
Nevada Republican Chuck Muth argued that reducing the deadline would not harm voters.
He stated that ballots should be received and counted on Election Day, adding that Nevadans can vote early, vote on Election Day, or use drop boxes if they miss mailing deadlines.
He predicted that if the GOP prevails nationally, Nevada’s current law will face legal challenges.
Nevada’s Commitment to Secure Voting
Aguilar’s office reiterated that mail voting remains the state’s most widely used voting method. Rural counties such as Nye and Douglas recorded the highest mail-ballot return rates.
Aguilar added:
“As the Chief Elections Officer, my duty is to ensure secure and accessible elections. Nevada conducts some of the most transparent and secure elections in the country, and we will oppose any efforts to silence our citizens.”
The upcoming Supreme Court ruling has the potential to reshape how mail ballots are handled not only in Mississippi but across Nevada and numerous other states. As legal battles intensify over deadlines and counting procedures, the debate highlights a broader national conflict over election integrity, voter access, and public trust in democracy.
Nevada officials maintain that their system is already secure and efficient, while opponents argue that stricter rules are necessary for confidence in the process. The court’s final decision—expected by June—could permanently alter how millions of Americans cast their votes in future elections.
