Arizona’s Republican leaders have taken their push for stricter voter registration rules to the nation’s highest court. The state GOP and Republican National Committee (RNC) are urging the U.S. Supreme Court to give the green light to a 2022 state law that would require proof of citizenship for voter registration.
This legal move comes on the heels of a federal appeals court decision that put the brakes on key parts of the Arizona law. Now, Republicans are asking the Supreme Court to let the state demand evidence of U.S. citizenship from folks using state forms to register as voters.
The law, if given the nod, would do more than just change how people sign up to vote in state elections. It would also impact mail-in voting and even who gets to have a say in presidential races. Currently, Arizona allows people without citizenship proof to vote in federal elections as “federal-only voters,” a practice that stems from a 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
RNC Chair Michael Whatley argues that checking citizenship is just plain common sense when it comes to keeping elections honest. But the law has its critics, with groups like Mi Familia Vota saying it puts up unnecessary barriers to voter registration.
In their appeal, GOP leaders bring up the Purcell principle, a legal idea that says courts shouldn’t fiddle with election rules when voting day is just around the corner. They worry that blocking the law could leave voters confused.
With November’s elections on the horizon, time is of the essence. Republicans are pushing for an answer by August 22, a crucial deadline for finalizing ballot designs and getting voting machines ready to roll.
This case could set the tone for how states across the country make sure voters are eligible. As America continues to grapple with concerns about election security, the Supreme Court’s decision might reshape how people register to vote nationwide.
The outcome of this legal tussle could have far-reaching effects. It might change how states handle voter registration and could impact who gets to cast a ballot in future elections.
As both sides dig in their heels, all eyes are on the Supreme Court. Their ruling could be a game-changer for election rules, not just in Arizona, but potentially across the entire nation.
