A federal judge upheld new Arizona laws requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration.
The judge ruled the laws were not discriminatory, aiming to prevent voter fraud and ensure only eligible individuals vote.
“Considering the evidence as a whole, the court concludes that Arizona’s interests in preventing non-citizens from voting and promoting public confidence in Arizona’s elections outweighs the limited burden voters might encounter when required to provide (documentary proof of citizenship),” the judge wrote.
However, a requirement to include birthplace on registration forms was deemed a violation.
The ruling highlighted the rarity of non-citizen voting in Arizona but suggested the laws could deter non-citizens from registering or voting.
“The court finds that though it may occur, non-citizens voting in Arizona is quite rare, and non-citizen voter fraud in Arizona is rarer still,” the ruling stated. “But while the voting laws are not likely to meaningfully reduce possible non-citizen voting in Arizona, they could help to prevent non-citizens from registering or voting.”
The laws were enacted following claims of voter fraud in the 2020 election, with a focus on election integrity and preventing illegal voting.
“Election integrity means counting every lawful vote and prohibiting any attempt to illegally cast a vote,” then-Gov. Doug Ducey wrote in March 2022.
