Compliance Notes - Vol. 6, Issue 23

RECENT LOBBYING, ETHICS & CAMPAIGN FINANCE UPDATES

Campaign Finance & Lobbying Compliance

The United States Supreme Court will decide whether states can count mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day, a ruling that could affect election laws in about 30 states. The case stems from a challenge to Mississippi's law allowing ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they arrive within five business days of election day. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down that law last year, finding it conflicted with federal statutes setting a single nationwide Election Day. Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch warned the ruling could cause "chaos" in the 2026 elections by prompting similar challenges nationwide. The Court is expected to hear arguments early in 2026 and issue a decision by June 2026. (Josh Gerstein, POLITICO)