All articles tagged with #absentee voting
A group of Republican secretaries of state from Kentucky, North Dakota, South Dakota, Georgia, New Hampshire, and Kansas urged the Supreme Court to block the Trump administration’s new mail-in ballot rule from taking effect during the 2026 midterms, warning that implementing the rule late could disrupt voting by mandating state data sharing with the USPS and complicating election administration.
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to immediately allow new restrictions on mail-in balloting, potentially triggering a major legal clash that could affect millions of voters in the November midterms. Supporters say the rules aim to prevent noncitizen voting, while opponents warn the move could cause chaos and disenfranchisement as states distribute mail ballots.
An anonymous federal official warns that a rushed USPS portal tied to President Trump’s midterm plan could reject large batches of ballots, potentially preventing many Americans from receiving mail ballots this fall if courts approve the change. The disclosure to Congress describes a zero‑percent failure policy that could trigger widespread ballot rejections, adding fuel to legal battles over the administration’s voting rules ahead of the midterms.
The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, upheld Mississippi’s rule to count mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive after Election Day, preserving voting procedures in several states before the midterms and rejecting challenges from Republicans and Libertarians.
President Donald Trump voted by mail in a Palm Beach County, Florida special election for a state legislature seat, despite his ongoing push to curb mail-in voting. He is registered to vote at Mar-a-Lago, and the Palm Beach County elections office confirmed he voted by mail in the race that determined who would fill the open seat.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced that the state is on track to break voter turnout records, with 45.8% of registered voters having already cast their ballots through absentee and early voting. This surge in participation comes as Michigan plays a crucial role in the presidential race, with both major parties heavily campaigning in the state. In 2020, Michigan saw a 70% voter turnout, and this year, 3.3 million ballots have been cast before Election Day. The state is also hosting significant Senate and House races.
The Elias Law Group, a national Democratic law firm, has filed a lawsuit in Wisconsin seeking to reinstate the use of drop boxes for absentee ballots. The practice was banned by the conservative majority of the Wisconsin Supreme Court last year, but with the upcoming shift to a liberal majority, the ruling may be reversed. The lawsuit argues that the prohibition on drop boxes burdens the right to vote and seeks to undo other requirements such as witness signatures and the correction of absentee ballot problems by Election Day. The case could potentially reach the state Supreme Court, which will have a liberal majority starting August 1st.
The Michigan legislature is halfway to implementing historic changes to voting access, including a brand-new early in-person voting system, requiring a ballot drop box in every city and township, and creating a single application for voters who want to vote absentee in every future election. Republicans are complaining of an expedited process and that the bills go beyond what the constitutional amendment requires. Lawmakers are aiming to pass the Prop 2 bills before the legislature leaves for summer break at the end of June.
Minnesota has passed a new election law that includes several major changes, including allowing for absentee voting without an excuse, establishing automatic voter registration for those obtaining a driver's license or state ID, and allowing same-day voter registration on Election Day. The law also expands early voting and establishes a process for restoring voting rights to individuals with past felony convictions who have completed their sentences.