Federal Judge Upholds Ariz. Law Requiring Voters To Provide Proof Of Citizenship

PASADENA, CA - MAY 19: A sheet of voter stickers is seen inside Fire Station 38, as people go to the polls for a special election called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and lawmakers to decide on statewide budget-balancing ballot propositions on May 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. The governor says that a passage of the suite of measures is crucial to repairing the state budget crisis. The initiatives were put forth to voters after a drawn-out battle between politicians to solve the deficit which has resulted in painful cuts to education and services and the loss of thousands of jobs. The deficit is projected to hit $15.4 billion in the fiscal year that begins in July if voters pass the ballot measures. If not, the deficit will balloon to $21.3 billion, according to the governor�s office. Polls though indicate that Proposition 1F, which prohibits the governor, lawmakers and other state officials from getting pay raises any time the state has a budget deficit, is the only one of the six measures that appears to have enough support to pass. It is the 12th times in seven years that Californians have been faced with complex budget measures. Voter turnout is expected to be low. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images) — A sheet of voter stickers on May 19, 2009 in Pasadena, California. The governor says that a passage of the suite of measures is crucial to repairing the state budget crisis. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)

OAN’s Mckenna Blackman
2:15 PM – Friday, March 1, 2024

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a new Arizona state law requiring voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

The ruling was issued on Thursday by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton. Bolton found such requirements in House Bill 2492, which adapts stricter voting requirements in The Grand Canyon State, are not discriminatory and that the state has a legitimate interest in preventing voter fraud.

“Considering the evidence as a whole, the court concludes that Arizona’s interests in preventing non-citizens from voting and promoting public confidence in Arizona’s elections outweighs the limited burden voters might encounter when required to provide [documentary proof of citizenship],” Bolton wrote.

The Justice Department, the Democratic National Committee and voting rights groups challenged the law. They claimed that it would make voter registration more difficult and that it is racially discriminatory.

However, Bolton concluded they did not provide evidence that state lawmakers had any intention to suppress voter registration among minority groups.

“[The laws do not] impose an undue burden on the right to vote or violate the equal protection and due process guarantees of the U.S. constitution,” she concluded.

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