government
Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots
By Noreen O'Donnell and Danielle Abreu at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS)
· June 29, 2026
· 3 min read
The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states should be allowed to count ballots that are mailed on time but arrive after Election Day.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court rejected a Republican-led attack on laws in more than half the states and the District of Columbia that permit mailed ballots t...
Key takeaway The outcome spares officials the headache of changing their ballot rules just a few months before the 2026 midterm congressional elections.
Why this matters in The Trophy Club
The Supreme Court's decision to allow states to count late-arriving mailed ballots will have a direct impact on the voting process in Texas, where mail ballots can be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and arrive within a certain timeframe. This ruling spares Texas election officials from having to revamp their ballot rules just months before the 2026 midterm elections. With rural areas in Texas often experiencing slower mail delivery, this decision will help ensure that votes from these areas are counted. The fact that Texas is one of the states with deadlines after Election Day, along with other large states like California and New York, means that this ruling will have significant implications for the state's electoral process. As the 2026 elections approach, Texans can expect a smoother voting process, with fewer concerns about mailed ballots being disqualified due to late arrival.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . The Trophy Club 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 NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The Supreme Court ruled Monday that states should be allowed to count ballots that are mailed on time but arrive after Election Day.
In a 5-4 decision, the high court rejected a Republican-led attack on laws in more than half the states and the District of Columbia that permit mailed ballots t...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS) and curated for The Trophy Club readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Noreen O'Donnell and Danielle Abreu at NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth (KXAS). To learn more about how The Trophy Club selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Trophy Club, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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