In a stunning 5-4 decision that defied recent trends, the U.S. Supreme Court has sided against President Trump and the Republican National Committee, ruling that mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day can still be counted — as long as they were postmarked by Election Day.

The ruling upholds similar laws in more than a dozen states, preserving a system used by millions of voters seeking convenience and accessibility during elections.

Justice Amy Coney Barrett wrote the majority opinion, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices. She stated plainly: “Nothing in the federal election-day statutes requires ballots to be received by election day.”

This outcome marks a rare setback for the Trump administration’s push to tighten voting rules and crack down on mail-in ballots, which Trump has repeatedly attacked despite using the method himself in a recent special election. The decision affirms the authority of states to manage their own election procedures, including reasonable grace periods for ballots already in the postal system.

Critics of the ruling, including Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, expressed disappointment and called for state-level changes, while voting rights groups praised it as a protection against voter disenfranchisement and potential chaos. The case highlighted ongoing national tensions over election integrity, mail voting safeguards like signature verification, and broader Republican efforts to pass the controversial SAVE America Act.

As midterm elections approach, this ruling preserves flexibility for voters and local officials — but the political fight over how America conducts its elections is certain to intensify in the months ahead.