Here’s what voters should know.
In a significant ruling, Arizona’s Supreme Court has determined that nearly 100,000 residents lacking confirmed citizenship status will be permitted to vote in upcoming state and local elections. This decision, announced on Friday, follows revelations from state officials about a glitch in the database that verifies voters’ citizenship.
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, a Democrat, disclosed that the error had been corrected but emphasized that the status of approximately 98,000 voters remained uncertain. In response, Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, a Republican, sought clarification from the court regarding these voters’ eligibility.
The court agreed with Fontes, asserting that excluding individuals who believed they met citizenship requirements would violate principles of equal protection and due process. With the general election approaching on November 5, justices were concerned about the limited time available for resolving these issues.
Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer underscored the court’s reluctance to disenfranchise a large number of voters, stating, “We are unwilling on these facts to disenfranchise voters en masse from participating in state contests.” Following the ruling, Fontes expressed his satisfaction, declaring on social media that no affected voters would be restricted to federal-only ballots.
While Richer may not fully align with Fontes on the handling of voter status, he commended the court’s prompt and professional response. He acknowledged the importance of allowing these registrants to participate fully in the election, expressing gratitude for the court’s swift action.
Historically, Arizona has required proof of U.S. citizenship for state and local voting since 2005. Those who do not meet this requirement are classified as “federal-only” voters, eligible only for presidential and congressional elections. The recent database error particularly affected voters who obtained their driver’s licenses before October 1996, constituting about 2.5 percent of the state’s registered voters.
Many of those impacted reside in Maricopa County, with a demographic mix that includes a significant portion of registered Republicans, along with Democrats and independents. The Arizona Republican Party has argued against penalizing voters for government mistakes, highlighting that nearly 100,000 residents should not be sidelined due to bureaucratic errors. Party chair Gina Swoboda stressed that safeguarding voter rights is paramount, especially in light of the upcoming election.
