Arizona GOP Enters Trump’s Legal Fight Demanding Proof of Citizenship

By Staff Reporter |

The Arizona Republican Party (Arizona GOP) has allied with President Donald Trump in a legal initiative calling for proof of citizenship to vote. Chairwoman Gina Swoboda publicly announced this partnership on Wednesday, revealing that the state party filed an amicus brief with the Massachusetts District Court last week.

“The American people expect secure elections, not open invitations to fraud,” Swoboda stated. She emphasized Arizona’s leadership in implementing proof-of-citizenship laws for two decades, expressing strong support for Trump’s efforts to safeguard the electoral process. “This is about protecting every legal vote — and thwarting those who wish to dilute it,” she added.

In March, President Trump signed Executive Order 14248, titled “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections.” This executive order tasked the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) with mandating documentary proof of citizenship on national mail voter registration forms and instructed state or local officials to record this proof.

According to the order, accepted forms of documentary proof include U.S. passports, REAL ID-compliant identification documents, official military ID cards, or valid government-issued photo IDs accompanied by proof of citizenship.

Moreover, Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Government Efficiency to examine voter rolls and state records to verify citizenship and immigration status. Federal agencies were also directed to assess citizenship before providing voter registration forms to participants in public assistance programs.

The executive order further mandated that late ballots would no longer be accepted, restricting absentee and mail-in voting to Election Day deadlines. States failing to comply risk losing federal funding.

In response, several left-leaning organizations, including the Brennan Center and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), filed lawsuits in April to challenge the order. They represented groups such as the League of Women Voters and the NAACP. Subsequently, a federal court issued a temporary ruling blocking the executive order.

The Arizona GOP’s amicus brief argued that the EAC has the legal authority to require proof of citizenship in voter registration, contending that the executive order enforces existing laws rather than creating new ones. However, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and Secretary of State Adrian Fontes have opposed this initiative, joining a coalition of 19 states in suing the Trump administration over the order.