Court Upholds Arizona Law Requiring Proof Of Citizenship For Voting

In a significant victory for election integrity advocates, an appeals court has upheld Arizona House Bill 2492, which mandates that new voters provide proof of citizenship when registering to vote in presidential elections or when voting early by mail. The Arizona Republican Party celebrated the decision, emphasizing its importance in ensuring that only U.S. citizens participate in the voting process.

The law, initially challenged by liberal groups claiming it aimed to suppress voter access, has been a contentious issue. Critics argued that the requirement could disenfranchise eligible voters, while supporters asserted it was a necessary step to safeguard the integrity of elections.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma (R) expressed his approval of the ruling on social media, highlighting the court’s decision to stay the district court’s injunction against the law. “Great news—the 9th Circuit stayed the district court’s injunction of Arizona’s common sense voting law, ARS 16-121.01(c). All county recorders must now require proof of citizenship when accepting state voter registration forms,” Toma posted.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen (R) also praised the ruling, stating, “This is a victory for election integrity in Arizona. Only U.S. citizens should be allowed to vote in our elections. It sounds like common sense, but the radical left elected officials in our state continue to reject this notion, disrespecting the voices of our lawful Arizona voters.”

Petersen urged Congress to take similar measures at the federal level to ensure that only lawful U.S. citizens can vote in federal elections. “We are grateful the court is upholding this provision in our law, and it’s time for Congress to take action to ensure only lawful U.S. citizens are voting in federal races,” he added.

The ruling is a major win for proponents of stricter voting regulations, who argue that such measures are crucial for preventing voter fraud and maintaining the integrity of elections. As the debate over voting laws continues nationwide, the decision in Arizona may influence similar legislation in other states.