The Supreme Court has had a busy term, and a number of its biggest rulings are set to have a direct impact on the midterms. On top of the major decisions we’ve already had handed down, we’re still waiting for a few key rulings that could change the shape of our elections.
One such ruling is from a case in Mississippi relating to mail-in ballots. Current law in Mississippi allows a grace period for mail-in ballots received late, so long as they’re postmarked by Election Day. That could soon change.
Professor Josh Blackman with the South Texas College of Law explained: “The case argues that ballots have to be received by Election Day. They can’t be days or even weeks afterward. Election Day is Election Day.”
Blackman says that the most influential decision is of course going to be the recent rulings on redistricting. “Specifically, in Louisiana and other southern states, they’ve been able to create more safe Republican districts and remove safe Democrat districts,” he said.
He believes that ruling is only going to get more impactful over time, because states that haven’t had time to redistrict for the 2026 midterms will be able to by 2028.
Blackman also points out that in just four more years we’ll have another census, in which Republican states are expected to gain population from blue states. Republicans will be able to take full advantage of the results of that census without having to artificially use racial gerrymandering to create extra Democrat seats.