DAVENPORT, IOWA (November 10, 2025) — On Monday, the US Supreme Court announced they would hear a challenge to the Mississippi law that allows absentee ballots to be counted after election day.
Mississippi’s own Republican Secretary of State argued against the lawsuit, claiming it would invalidate these types of military ballots from being counted post-election day. Iowa law allows for properly post-marked military ballots to be counted until the Monday after election day.
Ryan Peterman, Democratic candidate for Secretary of State in Iowa, issued the following statement:
“The Supreme Court agreeing to hear this case is extremely concerning. It threatens to restrict the voices from countless men and women in uniform–like those I served with during my time in the Navy.
“When you’re deployed, you don’t control the mail. You can do everything right, and sometimes your ballot just arrives late. That shouldn’t cost you your voice.
“Under Paul Pate’s leadership as Secretary of State, we have seen the time voters have to request, receive, and mail back an absentee ballot greatly diminished. In order to lessen the damage of these new threats, Iowa must return to a full early voting period, allowing all Iowa voters ample time to cast their ballots before polls close.
“Whether you are a member of the military, a student, a senior citizen, or simply a busy working Iowan, every eligible voter deserves the opportunity to have their voice heard at the ballot box.”
Peterman, a former Naval Officer, helicopter pilot, and lifelong public servant, is running to bring non-partisan leadership to the Secretary of State’s office — and ensure that every eligible Iowan can vote freely and fairly.
