The Supreme Court is set to review a challenge from Republican Congressman Michael Bost regarding an Illinois law that permits mail-in ballots to be counted up to 14 days after Election Day.

Bost initially filed his lawsuit in 2022, arguing that this Illinois law conflicts with federal regulations that establish a uniform date for federal elections.

Bost and two Republican presidential electors contend that counting late ballots dilutes their votes, claiming violations of their rights under the First and 14th Amendments.

The central issue revolves around whether Bost and the electors have the legal standing to challenge state regulations affecting federal elections.

Illinois Republicans assert that the Supreme Court should affirm candidates' rights to contest state regulations that impact federal elections.

Illinois election officials argue that the plaintiffs have not shown how the ballot receipt deadline has affected their electoral outcomes.

Judge Michael Scudder, a Trump appointee, dissented in lower court rulings, asserting that Bost, as an active member of Congress, is directly impacted by the issues at stake.

Former President Donald Trump has criticized mail-in voting practices, issuing an executive order to encourage states to eliminate post-election deadlines for mail-in ballots.

The case is scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court's next term starting in October 2025, with a decision anticipated by the end of June 2026.

Judicial Watch's Russ Nobile, representing the plaintiffs, expressed satisfaction with the Supreme Court's decision to hear the case, emphasizing the need for consistent federal court access for candidates.

Bost likened his financial grievances to those of Texas Senator Ted Cruz, who successfully challenged a federal law limiting campaign loan repayment in a 2022 Supreme Court case.

This challenge could reinforce claims made by Trump regarding the impact of late-arriving ballots on public confidence in elections.