Arizona GOP Appeals to Supreme Court Over Controversial Citizenship Voter Registration Law

By Daniel Stefanski |

Arizona’s top legislative Republicans have escalated their defense of election integrity laws by appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court. Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma filed an Emergency Application for Stay in RNC v. Mi Familia Vota, seeking intervention from Justice Elena Kagan regarding the controversial HB 2492, enacted in 2022.

The legislators are challenging specific provisions of the law that obligate election officials to reject any state voter registration form submitted without documentary proof of citizenship. Additionally, the law stipulates that individuals lacking this proof may not participate in presidential voting or mail-in ballots.

In their legal brief, Petersen and Toma express confidence in the likelihood of Supreme Court review and potential reversal. They contend that without a stay, applicants will face irreparable harm, underscoring the urgency of their request.

This appeal follows an unusual ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. While one panel upheld the requirement for proof of citizenship, another panel contradicted this decision, allowing individuals to register to vote without providing evidence of their citizenship status.

Commenting on this judicial back-and-forth, Petersen criticized the Ninth Circuit, labeling it as the most overturned circuit nationally. He emphasized the need for Supreme Court intervention to maintain the principle that only American citizens participate in elections, warning that ignoring this could jeopardize the democratic framework established by the Founding Fathers.

RNC Chairman Michael Whatley also weighed in, asserting that the requirement for proof of citizenship is essential for safeguarding electoral integrity, particularly as the nation approaches a critical presidential election. He argued that illegal voting by non-citizens undermines the sanctity of American elections.

Petersen and Toma assert that the injunction from the appeals court improperly restricts the Arizona Legislature’s ability to govern, effectively barring individuals who cannot prove their citizenship from voting in key elections.

Daniel Stefanski is a reporter for AZ Free News. You can send him news tips using this link.