Arizona Officials Face Uphill Battle Over Voter Roll Chaos After Citizenship Proof Blunder

A significant oversight dating back 20 years now threatens the voting rights of approximately 200,000 Arizonans. These voters will soon need to provide proof of citizenship to ensure their full voting rights, a situation that many may not yet be aware of.

County officials have been on standby for six months, awaiting a final list from the Secretary of State’s Office, which details affected voters and provides legal instructions to ensure equitable treatment across the state. Several counties face upcoming elections as early as March and May, raising urgency.

Despite recently sending the voter list, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes did not provide the comprehensive guidance desired by county officials. Consequently, recorders, who manage voter rolls, are now left to address key points independently, including timelines for voter responses and when to cancel registrations of those unable to provide proof.

Fontes’ office has been confronting this issue since it became public prior to the November election. An investigation was initiated to determine who was aware of the problem within previous administrations, leading to the dismissal of the state’s voter registration director in October and another high-ranking official in December, as uncovered by Votebeat through public records requests.

Critics argue that Fontes has focused too much on assigning blame instead of taking actionable steps to correct the voter rolls. Tensions have erupted between Fontes, Governor Katie Hobbs, and various county officials, along with members of Fontes’ previous staff.

Colleen Connor, who left her policy director position in December, expressed shock at the terminations, attributing the crisis to decisions made long before Fontes’ tenure. She emphasized that the issue’s origins preceded his management.

In written statements, Fontes’ office asserted that its actions aimed to establish accountability and ensure data integrity. Spokesperson Aaron Thacker highlighted the necessity of understanding the systemic issues at play.

Faced with time constraints, some counties are forging ahead independently while seeking a unified plan for statewide application. There is ongoing discussion about requesting legislative assistance to facilitate legal and uniform handling of voter eligibility determinations.

According to a law enacted in 2004, Arizona voters must demonstrate documented proof of citizenship to participate in state or local elections. State officials learned last summer that a loophole existed in how the Motor Vehicle Division shared information for verifying voter citizenship since the law was ratified.

In September, Fontes announced that around 100,000 voters’ eligibilities were in question due to the error; however, this figure eventually climbed to over 200,000 as additional investigations revealed more discrepancies. Some voter recorders expressed confusion as the numbers fluctuated.

As mail-in ballots for the November election loomed, the problem reached the Arizona Supreme Court, which ruled that affected voters would not need to provide citizenship documentation before the election but did not offer future guidance. Fontes subsequently hired an external attorney to conduct investigations.

In December, preliminary findings shared with county recorders indicated that Fontes held previous administrations, including that of Hobbs and former Secretary of State Michele Reagan, accountable for the oversight. He claimed they failed to implement necessary safeguards or adequately document actions taken to resolve the issue.

Hobbs refuted these claims, stating she and her team were unaware of the problem’s extent until it was publicly disclosed. In a letter to Fontes, Hobbs contended that his investigation was misdirected and excessively exploratory concerning culpability rather than focusing on immediate solutions.

The ongoing rift between the two Democratic leaders has surfaced as they previously held conflicting offices. Hobbs initiated a separate review to examine Motor Vehicle Division policies, which recently yielded findings emphasizing the need for improved communication between election officials and the MVD.

Following the announcement of the audit results, Fontes proceeded to terminate two of his staff members in the aftermath of the investigation. Analysts believe these firings may be politically motivated scapegoating rather than a fair assessment of accountability. Fontes has maintained that tough decisions are necessary to resolve long-standing issues.

Investigation findings have shown that over the years, several employees within the Secretary of State’s Office raised concerns regarding inconsistencies in voter registrations and citizenship verification. In light of these communications, it is increasingly apparent that the root of the problem lies in outdated MVD policies surrounding voter registration.

These policies inaccurately defaulted individuals who obtained licenses before 1996 as citizens without requiring proof of citizenship. This critical error persisted for over 20 years, resulting in around 218,000 residents being registered to vote without proper documentation. Although the list has been reduced to approximately 200,000, efforts continue to rectify this before the next elections.

As the situation unfolds, county officials stress the need for unified procedures in handling voter eligibility and documentation requests. Prompt action from state lawmakers may be necessary to ensure that county recorders have the authority and clarity needed to navigate this complex issue effectively.