TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida Republican leaders are condemning a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that upheld Mississippi’s practice of counting certain mail-in ballots received after Election Day, arguing the decision weakens election integrity even though it does not change Florida law.

The Court allowed Mississippi to continue counting absentee ballots that are postmarked by Election Day and received within five days afterward, prompting criticism from Gov. Ron DeSantis, Secretary of State Cord Byrd and U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.

While the decision applies to Mississippi’s election procedures, Florida officials say the state’s stricter vote-by-mail deadlines will remain unchanged.

What the Ruling Means for Florida

• Florida’s vote-by-mail law does not change.
• Most vote-by-mail ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.
• Military and overseas voters continue to follow existing statutory exceptions under Florida law.
• The ruling could influence future national debates over election administration but does not require Florida to change its election procedures.

Florida Republicans Push Back

Secretary of State Cord Byrd called the ruling a setback for election confidence.

“This is such a terrible opinion,” Byrd said. “Election Day should mean just that.”

He argued that extending ballot counting beyond Election Day creates uncertainty.

“Every day that goes by after Election Day without the results being posted allows doubt to creep in and the conspiracy theories to bloom. It doesn’t have to be this hard.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis also criticized the decision, saying Florida would continue enforcing its existing election laws.

“SCOTUS validates election practices in places like California that count votes received after an election,” DeSantis wrote on social media. “Loss for election integrity. Florida will keep doing it right.”

Republicans Renew Support for SAVE Act

The Supreme Court’s decision quickly became part of the national debate over election security.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody called for renewed action on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, legislation supported by President Donald Trump that would require documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections.

Supporters argue the legislation would strengthen election integrity by preventing non-citizens from registering to vote.

Opponents contend the proposal could create new barriers for eligible voters who may not have immediate access to required documentation.

Democrats Welcome the Decision

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried praised the Supreme Court’s ruling, calling it a victory for voting rights.

“Instead of winning on ideas, the Republican Party’s entire playbook is to win by silencing voters,” Fried said in a statement.

She argued that allowing ballots mailed on time to be counted helps protect military members, seniors, voters with disabilities and others who rely on voting by mail.

Florida Election Law Remains the Same

Florida continues to operate under one of the nation’s stricter vote-by-mail systems.

With limited statutory exceptions for military and overseas voters, mail ballots generally must be received by county Supervisors of Elections no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

Although Monday’s Supreme Court decision is expected to fuel continued debate over election administration nationwide, Florida’s voting procedures for the 2026 election cycle remain unchanged unless modified by the Florida Legislature or Congress.

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