The Nevada Supreme Court has delivered a significant blow to the Republican Party in its ongoing efforts to challenge election rules, upholding a decision that allows mail-in ballots without a postmark to be counted up to four days after Election Day.
The ruling, issued on Monday, effectively rejects a lawsuit filed by the Republican National Committee (RNC) aimed at overturning the state’s extended deadline for receiving non-postmarked ballots. The RNC had argued that the deadline was unconstitutional and vulnerable to fraud, potentially favoring one party over another. However, the court found their claims lacking in evidence, deeming the lawsuit “inherently speculative.”
The court’s decision affirms an earlier ruling by a lower court, which had also rejected the RNC’s attempt to block the counting of non-postmarked ballots. The justices in their majority opinion emphasized the importance of allowing valid votes to be counted, even if they arrive without a postmark due to an oversight by the postal service. They stated that discounting such votes would go against public policy.
The ruling carries weight as Nevada is considered a crucial battleground state in the upcoming presidential election. The RNC’s challenge to the state’s election procedures was part of a broader strategy by Republicans to tighten voting rules and limit access to the ballot, a strategy that Democrats have characterized as an attempt to disenfranchise voters.
While the exact impact of the court’s decision on the number of ballots affected remains unclear, it is significant as it reaffirms the state’s existing election guidelines. This decision is likely to be closely watched by both parties as the election cycle heats up, particularly in states with similar ballot counting procedures. The RNC has yet to comment publicly on the court’s ruling.
