Senators James Lankford and Mike Lee have introduced legislation that would require states to stop accepting ballots once polls close on Election Day, targeting lengthy vote-counting processes in states including California. The proposal follows a Supreme Court opening that the senators believe could allow Congress to set a nationwide deadline, and it would intensify the political debate over mail voting and election administration.

Supporters argue that extended ballot acceptance and counting can undermine public confidence in elections, while opponents are likely to contend that later-arriving postal ballots should still count if sent on time. California has drawn particular Republican criticism because final results can take weeks, reflecting its large electorate and rules allowing certain mailed ballots to be received after Election Day.