Arizona Launches Effort to Remove Nearly 50000 Noncitizens from Voter Rolls Following Legal Action

Arizona Launches Effort to Remove Nearly 50000 Noncitizens from Voter Rolls Following Legal Action

EXCLUSIVE: All 15 counties in Arizona have initiated a comprehensive process to verify and remove noncitizens from their voter rolls. This effort targets approximately 50,000 registrants who did not provide proof of U.S. citizenship.

Senior counsel James Rogers of America First Legal (AFL) expressed satisfaction with the outcomes of the lawsuit, stating that this settlement represents a significant advance for all Arizonans. His organization successfully spearheaded the legal action in the state.

AFL filed the lawsuit against the 15 counties last year on behalf of EZAZ.org, along with Yvonne Cahill, a registered voter and naturalized citizen. The lawsuit highlighted that the counties had not adhered to a state law mandating proof of citizenship for voting in local and state elections. This law also requires monthly checks of the voter rolls for noncitizens.

The counties have now begun collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship statuses of all registered voters who failed to submit proof of citizenship.

Legal Background and Requirements

In 2013, a Supreme Court ruling established that states cannot impose voter registration requirements beyond the federal requirement of a checkbox affirming U.S. citizenship. Nevertheless, Arizona continues to enforce its law requiring proof of citizenship for voting in local and state elections.

This law further mandates that county recorders engage in monthly maintenance of voter lists. This is to confirm the citizenship status of what is known as “federal-only voters,” a designation for nearly 50,000 individuals who did not provide the necessary proof of citizenship and were thus barred from voting in key elections.

Verification and Roll Management

Confirmed citizens will be transitioned to the regular voter list, while those identified as noncitizens will have their registrations canceled. The AFL argued that county recorders were not fully employing the available resources to verify citizenship status, which the law necessitates. Consequently, all 15 counties have sent requests to the DHS for assistance in removing noncitizens from voter rolls.

Rogers stated that this collaborative effort will aid County Recorders in locating and eliminating noncitizens from their voter rolls. Furthermore, it holds the potential to enfranchise federal-only voters whose citizenship status has been confirmed, thereby allowing them to participate in state and local elections. AFL has praised each of Arizona’s 15 County Recorders for taking this important step towards upholding election integrity.

Public Reaction and Future Implications

Public reactions regarding the removal of noncitizens from voter rolls have varied. Advocates for voter integrity believe that this initiative underscores the importance of upholding laws designed to secure the electoral process. Critics, on the other hand, argue that such efforts could disenfranchise legitimate voters and complicate an already challenging voting landscape.

Impact on Future Elections

As county recorders launch these verification efforts, it remains important to monitor the broader implications for future elections in Arizona. The state’s approach to citizenship verification and voter roll maintenance could serve as a model or a cautionary tale for other states grappling with similar issues.

Lawmakers across the country are watching closely to see how these changes unfold in Arizona, as they may influence legislation in other regions faced with questions of voter integrity and citizenship verification.

Challenges Ahead

While the Arizona counties strive to implement these changes, challenges are likely to arise. The process of verifying the citizenship of voters is complex and could lead to delays or disputes concerning individual voter statuses. Additionally, misinformation about the removal process may create misunderstandings among the public.

Transitioning voters from federal-only lists to active voting lists requires careful management to ensure eligible votes are not adversely affected. This delicate balance is crucial for maintaining public trust in the electoral process.

A Path Forward for Election Integrity

The implementation of these new verification processes reflects a commitment to enhancing election integrity in Arizona. As this situation continues to evolve, it will be key to observe how effectively these measures are executed and the degree to which they affect voter participation in upcoming elections.

An ongoing dialogue between state officials, advocacy groups, and the community will be essential in shaping a transparent and defensible electoral framework for Arizona residents.