Supreme Court hears oral arguments in Watson v. RNC on mail ballot grace periods

The Supreme Court hears one hour of oral arguments in Watson v. Republican National Committee at the courthouse in Washington, D.C. Paul Clement argues for the RNC and Mississippi, stressing the 1872 Election Day statute's uniform federal standard. Lisa Blatt defends Mississippi's grace period. Justices Barrett and Kavanaugh signal skepticism about mail voting accommodations, with Kavanaugh raising concerns about the "red mirage" phenomenon. Justice Sotomayor vigorously defends grace periods as necessary for voter participation. Chief Justice Roberts seeks a limiting principle that would preserve states' election administration flexibility.