Citizenship Status Under Scrutiny for 218,000 Arizona Voters

PHOENIX — The total of registered voters in Arizona lacking proof of citizenship now stands at approximately 218,000, according to Secretary of State Adrian Fontes. This figure has surged from 97,928 last week.

Despite this drastic increase, Fontes reassures that it currently has no immediate impact on voting. A recent Arizona Supreme Court ruling allows this group to participate fully in upcoming elections, counteracting previous claims by Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer that these voters could only cast ballots for federal offices.

The Supreme Court had clearly stated that any effort to revoke registrations close to an election would violate due process rights, ensuring everyone listed can vote. However, confusion lingers. Gina Swoboda, chair of the Arizona Republican Party, argues that the Secretary should immediately provide county recorders with the names of affected voters to address inquiries from concerned citizens.

Aaron Thacker, spokesperson for the Secretary of State’s Office, refuted this suggestion, stating it conflicts with the court’s directive that allows all voters in this category to vote without restrictions in this election cycle. Swoboda expressed skepticism over the court’s interpretation, acknowledging that these concerns, while currently moot, still undermine voter confidence.

“This is very damaging,” Swoboda commented, referencing the lingering doubts surrounding the 2020 and 2022 election results, which have been repeatedly upheld by various courts. She fears that continued issues could discourage voters from participating altogether.

The source of this burgeoning voter registration dilemma can be traced back to a 2004 law, which mandates proof of citizenship for voter registration. A key point of contention lies in how the Arizona Department of Motor Vehicles (MVD) records citizenship for individuals who obtained their licenses before 1996. If a person sought a duplicate license or changed their address post-1996, the MVD would categorize them as having a valid citizenship proof, even if they hadn’t submitted one.

This error disproportionately affects those aged 45 and older, with Republicans making up about 36% of those impacted, while Democrats account for 28%. The discrepancy raises significant concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

To assist individuals, those who have acquired a Real ID, which requires citizenship verification, should be correctly categorized in the MVD records. Furthermore, prospective voters can check their registration status online at my.arizona.vote.

Thacker highlighted that efforts are ongoing to refine and narrow down the list of affected voters before sharing it with county recorders. This strategy aims to minimize the burden on voters who may need to verify their citizenship status. Current priorities, he noted, are on ensuring a smooth general election process.