A federal appeals court in San Francisco struck down provisions in two Arizona voting laws that sought to increase proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, deeming them “voter suppression.” The court’s decision upheld a lower court’s findings that blocked the laws signed by former Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, in 2022. The ruling, which also sent one of the laws back for reconsideration on potential discrimination grounds, stated that the provisions violated federal laws and the U.S. Constitution.
Conservative groups and Republican state legislators had pushed for the laws based on false claims of mass noncitizen voting during the 2022 midterm elections. The plaintiffs in the case included nonprofit groups, Latino and Native American organizations, voter and civil rights groups, and the state and national Democratic parties. The court’s decision was praised by voting rights advocates, who argued that the laws would disproportionately impact Latino, Native, and student voters.
Despite the ruling, Republican state Sen. Warren Petersen, a supporter of the laws, indicated plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, citing a previous ruling that allowed Arizona to reject state-created voter registration forms without proof of citizenship. The blocked laws in question aimed to require heightened proof of citizenship for voter registration using both federal and state forms, potentially disenfranchising those who could not provide the necessary documentation.
The 2-1 ruling by the appeals panel against the Arizona laws highlights the ongoing debate over voting rights and access in the United States, particularly regarding efforts to impose stricter registration requirements that critics argue may suppress voter turnout, especially among marginalized communities.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
