Nevada Supreme Court Rules Mail-In Ballots Can Be Counted After Election Day
In a significant ruling on Monday, the Nevada Supreme Court decided that mail-in ballots lacking clear postmarks can still be counted for up to three days after Election Day. This decision comes amid ongoing debates about voting procedures and the integrity of elections, particularly as the state prepares for a pivotal presidential election.
The court’s ruling rejected a challenge from state and national Republicans, including former President Donald Trump’s campaign and a concerned voter, Scott Johnston. They argued that allowing these ballots to be counted could unfairly benefit Democratic voters. However, the court upheld a previous decision made by a state judge in August, affirming that ballots without visible postmarks should be accepted until 5 PM on November 8, three days after the polls close.
Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, a Democrat, welcomed the ruling, stating it would help ensure that voters are not disenfranchised due to circumstances beyond their control. He praised election workers for their efforts to process mail ballots more efficiently this election cycle, emphasizing the importance of maintaining smooth election administration.
The Republican National Committee, however, expressed concern over the ruling, claiming it undermines the integrity of Nevada’s elections. They argued that counting mail-in ballots received after Election Day could disproportionately favor Democratic candidates, as they believe Democrats tend to vote by mail more often than Republicans.
This ruling is particularly crucial as Nevada has become a battleground state in recent elections, with nearly 2 million active registered voters. As of Monday, over 643,000 mail, early, and overseas votes had already been cast, with registered Republicans making up nearly 40% of that number, compared to almost 35% for Democrats.
The court noted that the plaintiffs had identified only 24 ballots without postmarks out of more than 383,000 cast in the June primaries, attributing these errors to random postal service issues. This statistic highlights that the concerns raised by the GOP may not be as widespread as they suggest.
Interestingly, Nevada is one of eight states that conduct all-mail elections, meaning all registered voters receive a ballot unless they opt out. Voters can also choose to cast their ballots in person during early voting or on Election Day itself. The law allows for mail ballots with postmarks to be counted until 5 PM on the Saturday following Election Day, which adds to the complexity of the current legal landscape surrounding voting rights.
As the election approaches, the stakes are high. Nevada is one of seven states where the outcome of the presidential election is expected to be closely contested. With ongoing legal battles—there are currently 13 active election-related court cases in the state—every ruling and decision could have significant implications for the election process.
In a related note, the U.S. Postal Service has urged voters to mail their ballots by Tuesday to ensure they arrive in time for Election Day, emphasizing the importance of timely voting in this crucial election cycle.
As we gear up for the elections, the Nevada Supreme Court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding mail-in voting and the efforts to ensure that every vote counts, regardless of the circumstances surrounding its delivery.
