Trump Loses Mail-Ballot Fight as Supreme Court Upholds Late-Arriving Votes

President Trump took a loss at the Supreme Court on Monday in a fight over how states handle mailed ballots, even as the same court handed him a separate win on agency firing power.

What You Should Know

The justices ruled that federal law sets the day for casting ballots but does not prohibit states from counting mail ballots that arrive later, as long as they were sent on time, according to PBS NewsHour. The decision preserves flexibility that several states currently use to avoid discarding ballots delayed in the mail.

The Pressure Point

Trump told reporters in the Oval Office the ruling was “a little bit surprising” and called it “very detrimental to honest elections,” according to CNN. He used the moment to renew pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, an elections overhaul bill that includes new voter ID and proof-of-citizenship requirements, and floated eliminating the Senate filibuster or folding the measure into a reconciliation bill to bypass Democratic votes.

The Receipts

CNN’s live coverage of the ruling noted the decision came the same day as two other major opinions on presidential firing power, underscoring a Supreme Court term that has cut both for and against Trump’s broader push to expand executive authority. Trump confirmed in his Oval Office remarks that the SAVE America Act remains “held up in the Senate.”

What Happens Next

The ruling leaves current mail-ballot rules in place heading into the 2026 midterms. Trump’s renewed push to attach the SAVE America Act to a budget reconciliation bill would still need to clear the Senate parliamentarian, who enforces the chamber’s rules on what can move through that process.

References: PBS NewsHour | CNN