Alabama AG Joins SCOTUS Challenge to Mail-in Ballot Date Ruling
Summary
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined 20 other states in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal appellate ruling that invalidated a Pennsylvania law requiring dates on mail-in ballots. The coalition argues the ruling undermines federalism and state control over election laws.
What changed
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, as part of a coalition of 20 states, has filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of the Republican National Committee's petition for review in Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections. The coalition seeks to overturn a Third Circuit appellate ruling that struck down a Pennsylvania law requiring voters to handwrite the date on mail-in ballots. The states contend that the lower court's decision represents federal overreach, infringing upon state legislatures' constitutional authority to set election rules and undermining election integrity measures.
This action highlights a significant legal challenge to federal court intervention in state election administration. While the brief focuses on a specific Pennsylvania law, its implications could affect how federal courts review other state-specific election integrity measures. Compliance officers should monitor the Supreme Court's decision, as it may clarify the boundaries of federal judicial authority in election law and reinforce the importance of state-level election integrity provisions. The coalition is asking the Supreme Court to grant the RNC's petition and reverse the appellate court's decision.
What to do next
- Monitor U.S. Supreme Court's decision in *Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections*.
Source document (simplified)
Marshall Takes Election Integrity Fight to the Supreme Court, Challenging Federal Overreach
View PDF For Immediate Release:
March 20, 2026
For press inquiries only, contact:
Amanda Priest (334) 322-5694
William Califf (334) 604-3230
(Montgomery, Ala) – Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall joined a coalition of 20 states urging the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a federal appellate ruling that struck down a longstanding Pennsylvania law requiring voters to handwrite the date on mail-in ballots. The coalition, led by Missouri in support of the Republican National Committee (RNC), argues that the lower court overstepped its authority in invalidating Pennsylvania’s election integrity measure.
In the brief, the states contend that the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit in Eakin v. Adams County Board of Elections sets a dangerous precedent that undermines federalism and the separation of powers by granting federal courts undue authority over non-burdensome state election rules. The Constitution vests that authority in state legislatures, which have a compelling interest in deterring and detecting election fraud.
“The Founders were clear that states control elections. When federal courts decide they know better and start striking down commonsense election laws that do not significantly burden anyone’s right to vote, that’s a power grab. We’re fighting back,” said Attorney General Marshall.
The Supreme Court has never held that a non-discriminatory ballot-casting regulation constitutes an undue burden on the right to vote. The coalition warns that the Third Circuit’s reasoning, if left unchecked, would allow courts to strike down even the most reasonable election integrity requirements. The states ask the Supreme Court to grant the RNC’s petition for review and ultimately reverse the lower court’s decision.
In addition to Alabama, Attorneys General from the following states joined the Missouri-led filing: Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia.
The full amicus brief can be read here.
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