A federal court recently denied an Arizona group’s attempt to introduce voter citizenship checks before an upcoming election.
At a Glance
- The court ruled against the Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona’s voter check bid.
- Arizona’s current voter system adheres to federal guidelines.
- The decision cited a lack of standing and federal restrictions on voter roll changes pre-election.
- Efforts to address potential vote dilution concerns remain unresolved.
The Court’s Decision
A federal court judge rejected a request from the Strong Communities Foundation of Arizona to mandate pre-election citizenship checks for over 40,000 voters registered under the federal-only system. The lawsuit’s dismissal highlighted a lack of standing and noncompliance with federal prohibitions on modifying voter lists close to elections. Judge Krissa Lanham emphasized logistical challenges and the absence of concrete evidence justifying the requested changes.
The judiciary made it clear that, without proof of harm or potential infractions, the appeal failed. The case also failed due to its filing just 24 days prior to the election’s start, complicating election preparations. The National Voter Registration Act within 90 days of voting and supported maintaining the status quo close to elections.
NEW: An Arizona judge rejected a request from a right-wing group to verify the citizenship of Arizona's 40,000 "federal-only" voters before they can vote this fall. The judge said the plaintiffs lacked standing and their request violates federal law. https://t.co/D8VcWKyEjH
— Democracy Docket (@DemocracyDocket) October 12, 2024
Existing Protocols and Concerns
Arizona’s bifurcated voting system already implements measures, enabling voters with proof of citizenship to vote in all elections, while others vote only federally. The Supreme Court previously ruled that Arizona cannot impose citizenship documentation on federal voter registration forms. Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer defended the county’s verification processes against the group’s claims, asserting comprehensive compliance with federal regulations. “Plaintiffs waited until shortly before the election to file this lawsuit despite allegedly suffering irreparable harm since Arizona’s 2022 voter list maintenance laws were into effect,” Lanham wrote.
The court and various Arizona officials continue to leverage available resources to ensure the fair administration of elections. Voter integrity remains a focus, as officials stated all existing safeguards align with federal laws to guarantee only eligible individuals can vote.
Future Implications and Reactions
Strong Communities, closely linked with former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, views the ruling as an ongoing evaluation point, highlighting ongoing concerns about vote dilution and election integrity. Plaintiffs cited a recent survey revealing a significant public perception issue regarding foreign citizens voting, yet the court found no plausible factual basis in this belief or invalid voter registrations.
“The court declines to order Arizona’s county recorders to divert resources from preparing for the general election to instead submitting thousands of requests to DHS.”
The group plans to continue legal avenues addressing noncitizen voting rights across all counties, despite legal setbacks. This ruling underlines the judiciary’s role in balancing local election concerns with federal law protections.
