Arizona is undertaking a significant voter roll purification initiative, targeting the removal of an estimated 50,000 non-citizen registrants. This action follows a successful lawsuit brought by America First Legal (AFL) on behalf of EZAZ.org and a naturalized citizen, Yvonne Cahill. The lawsuit argued that Arizona’s 15 counties weren’t adhering to state law requiring proof of citizenship for voting and for regular checks of voter rolls for non-citizens.
The ensuing settlement mandates collaboration between all 15 Arizona counties and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This partnership aims to verify the citizenship of every registered voter who hasn’t provided adequate proof. Those confirmed as citizens will remain on the rolls, while those identified as non-citizens will have their registrations canceled.
This process is legally sound, aligning with Arizona’s existing law demanding proof of citizenship for participation in state and local elections, despite a 2013 Supreme Court ruling preventing states from adding requirements beyond federal registration standards. The state’s legislation also mandates monthly maintenance of the voter rolls, specifically addressing the approximately 50,000 individuals registered under federal rules only, lacking state-required citizenship verification.
James Rogers, senior counsel at AFL, hailed the settlement as a victory for election integrity in Arizona. He highlighted the county recorders’ proactive engagement with DHS to facilitate the verification process and the potential for enfranchising those federal-only voters whose citizenship is subsequently confirmed. The removal of non-citizens from voter rolls, and the subsequent ability of previously ineligible voters to participate in state and local elections, is a significant development in Arizona’s ongoing efforts to maintain accurate and reliable voter registration.
