The Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration on new restrictions for mail-in ballots, a decision that could shape the midterm elections this November. The ruling clears the way for tighter rules on how ballots are collected and counted.
The court's decision is part of a wider push by the administration to change how federal elections are run. The White House has also moved to assert control over the Postal Service amid plans to overhaul voting procedures.
What the ruling changes
The new rules place limits on mail-in voting in several states. Voting rights groups say the restrictions will make it harder for millions of Americans to cast ballots, especially older voters and those in rural areas.
Supporters of the rules say they will protect election integrity and reduce the risk of fraud. They point to surveys that show most Americans support voter ID requirements and other safeguards.
Critics say there is little evidence of widespread fraud in mail voting. They argue the real goal is to reduce turnout among groups that lean Democratic.
Reaction from both parties
Democrats condemned the ruling. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party will keep fighting for voting access and promised tough oversight of the administration if Democrats win the House.
Republicans welcomed the decision. Party leaders said it restores confidence in the voting process and gives states clear guidance before the fall campaign.
The ruling lands weeks before key primary runoffs. In South Carolina, Republican voters head to the polls Tuesday for a Senate runoff between Darline Graham and Ralph Norman. President Trump has rallied hard for Graham, and a super PAC run by his advisers has spent nearly $800,000 on her campaign.
What to watch
States are now working to update their ballot rules before November. Election officials warn that changes made late in the cycle can create confusion at polling places.
Legal challenges are expected to continue. Several lawsuits filed by voting rights groups are still moving through lower courts.
The midterms will be the first national test of the new rules. Both parties know that how ballots are cast and counted may decide which one controls Congress.