DEMOCRACY DOCKET: 5th Circuit leaves mail-in voting hanging in the balance

 

Friday, October 25 Democracy Docket is proud to be a pro-democracy news outlet, unafraid to speak the truth about Donald Trump and election denialism. Democracy dies in darkness, which is why our team of 16 works hard every day to shine a light on how our democracy is being threatened in court. Support our work by becoming a premium member today. 5th Circuit leaves fate of mail-in ballot deadlines uncertain 11 days from election The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a Mississippi law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day and received by election officials up to five business days later. But the 5th Circuit says a lower court will determine what the state’s ballot receipt deadline will be this year. If this case or other cases raising similar claims are appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, an order from the justices could have nationwide implications. Approximately 20 other states and U.S. territories — including consequential mail-in voting heavy states like Nevada, New York and Ohio  — permit ballots to be received after Election Day. Judges deliver wins for voters in Georgia and Virginia A federal judge blocked Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s (R) voter purge program for illegally removing naturalized citizens from the rolls within 90 days of an election. The state must notify all eligible voters whose registrations were canceled. Virginia state officials immediately appealed this ruling to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Youngkin said the state is prepared to bring the case up to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed. A Georgia court declined to expedite a GOP appeal of a ruling that said election officials are required by state law to certify elections. The pro-democracy ruling will remain in place. THE SCOREBOARD