Fourth Circuit Strikes Down South Carolina’s 65-and-Older Mail Voting Rule
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Fourth Circuit Strikes Down South Carolina’s 65-and-Older Mail Voting Rule
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Summary
A unanimous three-judge Fourth Circuit panel ruled South Carolina cannot let only voters 65 and older cast mail ballots without an excuse while requiring younger voters to justify doing so.
The court said that age-based distinction violates the 26th Amendment, which bars denying or abridging voting rights on account of age.
South Carolina is among a small group of states that otherwise restrict mail voting but give seniors automatic access, while younger voters must cite reasons such as being away on Election Day.
The ruling adds fresh force to the 1971 amendment, long rarely tested in court, and comes as broader fights over mail voting are expected to return to the Supreme Court.