On Sept. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court made a ruling that prevented President Donald Trump’s efforts to restrict mail-in voting across the country.
An executive order was signed on March 31 that required an audit of voters across the country and gave the U.S. Postal Service permission to refuse delivering mail-in ballots.
A group of 23 states went to federal court to challenge this executive order, arguing that states should have the authority to oversee election protocol.
Professors on the Georgia Southern campus are able
Professors on the Georgia Southern campus are able to provide insight to this situation. Brett Curry teaches political science, and he said there could be different reasons why the courts ruled the way they did.
“There could be three justices who said regardless of if the Post Office has the ability to do this, it is unconstitutional because it would intrude on the ability of states to regulate the manners of their elections,”Curry said.“There could be others that say I don’t see it that way, I would be okay with it if a specific affirmative grants the post office to do this but there’s not so I can’t rule in favor of it.
There have been multiple attempts to block this executive order since it was signed in March, with U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani prohibiting the order in California.
Despite the ruling, Curry said some people may
Despite the ruling, Curry said some people may be less likely to vote by mail in the midterm elections.
“Historically Republican voters would be more likely to use mail-in ballots,”Curry said.“As President Trump began attacking mail-in voting it may lead to Republicans being less likely to vote by mail this election cycle.”
We asked Brenna O’Connor, a Georgia Southern student what her thoughts were on the Supreme Court ruling.
I definitely do think the Supreme Court made
“I definitely do think the Supreme Court made the correct decision,”O’Connor said.“A lot of college students and older people use mail-in ballots because they can’t make it to the polls.”
The absentee ballot application deadline is 11 days before election day, and are due when ballots close on election day. More information about mail-in ballots can be foundhere.
Election day for the Georgia General election is Nov. 3.
