June 29, 2026
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U.S. Supreme Court Confirms States May Set Mail Ballot Receipt Deadlines;
L.A. County Elections Proceed Under Existing Rules
Decision leaves California’s current law intact; no changes for voters in November or future elections
LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan today responded to the United States Supreme Court decision in Watson v. Republican National Committee, upholding the right of states to count mail ballots received after Election Day, provided those ballots were cast on or before Election Day and received within the timeline established in state law.
The ruling affirms California’s existing ballot receipt deadline and requires no changes to how elections are conducted in L.A. County — now or in future elections.
The decision leaves California’s existing ballot-receipt framework intact. No changes are required under the ruling to how elections are administered in L.A. County for the November election or future elections.
What This Means for Voters
L.A. County voters who mail their ballot on or before Election Day will continue to have their ballots counted if received within seven days of the election, consistent with current California law.
A ballot that meets these requirements is timely under state law, even when it is received after Election Day.
What This Means Going Forward
Today’s ruling provides certainty for voters and election administrators. The RR/CC will continue operating under California’s established ballot-receipt framework, helping ensure eligible voters are not disenfranchised due to postal transit times beyond their control.
The Department remains committed to conducting extensive outreach ahead of every election so that eligible voters, regardless of language, geography, or voting method, understand their rights and options.
Impact and Perspective
L.A. County is the largest voting jurisdiction in the United States, with more than 5.8 million registered voters. In a statewide election, between 700,000 and 1,000,000 Vote by Mail ballots are returned on or around Election Day in L.A. County. The ability to count those ballots, each individually verified for a valid signature before processing, is fundamental to ensuring that every eligible vote cast in this county is counted. Today’s ruling protects that process.
Statement from Dean C. Logan, Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk
“Today’s decision affirms what Los Angeles County voters deserve: the assurance that a ballot cast by Election Day will be counted if received within the legal timeframe established in State Law. The decision supports California voters’ preference for voting options that increase access and participation. Our office will continue to provide voter education, multilingual outreach, and leverage available resources to ensure voting access for our 5.8 million registered voters heading into November and in every election that follows. We remain firmly committed to transparency, accuracy, and compliance with all applicable election laws.”
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