A significant legal dispute is brewing in Arizona, where nearly 100,000 so-called voters may be removed from full ballot access after failing to provide proof of citizenship, a requirement for voting in state and local elections. These voters were mistakenly allowed to vote in all elections due to an “administrative error” involving the state’s driver’s license system.
The error occurred when voters with pre-1996 driver’s licenses were issued duplicate licenses, which incorrectly updated their status in the voter registration system. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer has highlighted that these individuals should have been restricted to federal-only ballots, which do not require citizenship proof.
Arizona law, enforced since 2004, mandates that voters must provide documented proof of citizenship to vote in state and local elections. Voters without such proof are allowed to vote only in federal elections, which include presidential, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House races.
The Arizona Secretary of State is pushing back against making immediate changes, citing concerns about voter disenfranchisement. With the election approaching, the Secretary believes it may be too burdensome for voters to address the issue in time. Both sides have taken the matter to court to seek clarification.
Arizona Clean Elections has explained that voters on federal-only ballots are those who have not provided citizenship proof, while full ballot voters are required to provide both proof of citizenship and residency.
