Delays in election results are caused by mail ballots
For years now, the Public Interest Legal Foundation has been fighting in court with Judicial Watch to stop the acceptance of mail ballots that arrive AFTER ELECTION DAY. Just last week, PILF and Judicial Watch WON a huge victory.
Why do we now Have Election Month instead of Election Day?
Americans used to go to bed on Election Night knowing who the next President would be. Or at the very least wake up the next morning and know. Now, Americans prepare ourselves for Election Month. Why? In large part these delays are driven primarily by the tabulation of mail ballots.
17 states (pictured to the right) and the District of Columbia accept mail ballots that arrive after Election Day. When states accept ballots that arrive days and even weeks after Election Day—results will be delayed days and weeks.
These weeks of uncertainty of the outcome lead to distrust in the election system.
Litigating to Save Election Day
Not only does accepting mail ballots that arrive after the election delay results and erode Americans confidence in our voting systems, but it also violates federal law. Federal law requires a single national Election Day to be held on “the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year.”
Judicial Watch and PILF hatched a litigation plan to tackle these laws across the county that unlawfully extend Election Day. Lawsuits were filed in Illinois, North Dakota, and Mississippi.
Last Friday, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision in the Mississippi case agreeing that states cannot extend Election Day.
This is a major victory that will have a national impact.
Stay tuned for more litigation to end the lawless acceptance of ballots that arrive after Election Day.
BOTTOM LINE: Federal law requires a single national Election Day. This Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruling is the first step to ending Election Month.