The Supreme Court is weighing a dispute Wednesday out of Illinois over the state’s law allowing mail-in ballots to be counted 14 days after Election Day.

A congressional candidate and two presidential electors in Illinois challenged the state’s “receipt deadline,” which allows absentee ballots to be received up to two weeks post-Election Day, arguing that it violates federal law. 

The challengers — Laura Pollastrini, Susan Sweeney and Rep. Michael J. Bost — argue that the state law is preempted by federal law, which sets Election Day as the first Tuesday in November. They are represented by the conservative watchdog, Judicial Watch.

Lower courts have dismissed the case, saying the candidate did not have standing — or legal injury — to sue.

The 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals reasoned that the candidates did not have to post election monitoring in 2022 for late ballots and that it was too early to sue over the 2024 elections, which were two months away.

The justices will decide if federal candidates have standing to bring these challenges to state laws over mail-in ballots. A decision is expected by the end of June.

• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.

• Alex Swoyer can be reached at aswoyer@washingtontimes.com.