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2w ago

Supreme Court to Hear GOP Bid Over Illinois’ 14-Day Mail-In Ballot Rule

The decision could clarify federal candidates’ right to bring lawsuits over election regulations nationwide.

FILE - Supreme Court is seen on Capitol Hill in Washington, April 25, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)
The facade of the Supreme Court building in Washington.
In this October 2019 file photo, Rep. Mike Bost, an Illinois Republican, walks up the steps to the US Capitol.
U.S. Rep. Mike Bost speaks during a hearing of the House Agriculture Committee about the impact of economic policies on farm country on Feb. 11, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Bost is challenging Illinois' post-Electiion Day ballot-counting law in court. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Overview

  • The Court granted review of Bost v. Illinois Board of Elections to decide if Rep. Mike Bost and two GOP presidential electors have Article III standing to challenge Illinois’ late-arriving mail-in ballots law.
  • Illinois allows ballots postmarked on or before Election Day to be counted up to 14 days later, a window Bost argues dilutes his votes and forces extra campaign spending.
  • A federal district court and a divided 7th U.S. Circuit panel dismissed the lawsuit for lack of standing, finding no concrete injury to the plaintiffs.
  • At least 17 states and several territories use similar post-Election Day ballot-count windows, making their laws vulnerable to parallel legal challenges.
  • Oral arguments are slated for the Supreme Court’s October term with a final ruling expected by June 2026, potentially reshaping candidates’ ability to sue over state election rules.