Supreme Court Upholds Mail-in Voting Access for Midterm Elections

Why it matters locally: The Supreme Court's decision means that Massachusetts will continue to operate under its existing mail-in voting laws for the upcoming midterm elections, preserving current access to absentee ballots for registered voters.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration's request to restrict mail-in voting rules for the upcoming midterm elections. The court’s decision leaves current state-level mail-in ballot procedures in place. The Trump administration had sought to reinstate a policy that would have limited the use of mail-in ballots. This challenge aimed to alter how states conduct absentee voting during the midterms. The majority of the justices voted to deny the administration's application. Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito indicated they would have granted the request, allowing the proposed restrictions to take effect. Washington state officials welcomed the Supreme Court's decision. They highlighted the ruling's impact on maintaining current voting access in their state. "Washington’s election system remains secure and accessible because of the robust laws and procedures we have in place," Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said in a statement. He added, "This ruling means voters can continue to count on our accessible election system." This ruling follows previous legal challenges regarding voting procedures, particularly those related to mail-in ballots. The court's action ensures that states can proceed with their established methods for absentee voting in the 2022 elections.