Court lets candidates challenge late-ballot counting

The Supreme Court ruled 7-2 that candidates can sue in advance over vote-counting practices, allowing Rep. Mike Bost to challenge Illinois’ rule that counts ballots postmarked by Election Day if they arrive within two weeks. The decision resolves standing for election disputes—being a candidate suffices—without deciding whether late-arriving ballots violate federal law; Justices Barrett and Kagan concurred, Jackson and Sotomayor dissented, and Mississippi mail-ballot cases remain on the docket.