Sacramento, Calif. June 29, 2026 – California Secretary of State Shirley N. Weber, Ph.D., issued the following statement in response to today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision rejecting efforts to shorten the vote-by-mail return window:
“Today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision is a win for voters, for the rule of law, and for the future of our democracy. By rejecting efforts to shorten the vote-by-mail return window, the Court protected an important safeguard that helps ensure service members, overseas voters, Californians with disabilities, and rural communities are not silenced by mail delays beyond their control. This ruling makes one thing clear: our elections belong to the people, not to partisan agendas. As Secretary of State, I will keep working to ensure every eligible Californian has the opportunity to be heard, because our democracy is strongest when every voice and vote count.”
The court ruling reaffirms the authority of states to administer fair and inclusive elections, allowing California to continue educating voters, supporting county elections officials, and protecting access to the ballot every step of the way.
Under California law, vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by county elections officials within seven days are counted. This helps protect voters from being disenfranchised because of mail delays outside their control.
The Secretary of State’s office will continue working closely with county elections officials and community partners to administer free and fair elections across California.
For more information about voting in California, visit the Secretary of State’s website: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections.