Arizona’s Republican leaders are taking their fight for stricter voter registration rules to the Supreme Court. In a bold move, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and state GOP officials have filed an emergency request asking the high court to allow enforcement of a 2022 law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration.
This legal maneuver follows a recent federal appeals court decision that blocked key parts of the Arizona law. The GOP is now seeking to overturn this ruling before the upcoming November elections.
At the heart of this dispute is the question of who can register to vote in Arizona. The contested law would require individuals to provide documentary evidence of U.S. citizenship when registering via state forms. It would also extend this requirement to those voting by mail or in presidential elections.
Proponents argue these measures are essential for maintaining election integrity. RNC Chair Michael Whatley stressed the importance of citizenship verification, calling it “common sense and fundamental” to protecting the voting process.
However, the law faces opposition from several left-wing groups, including Mi Familia Vota and Voto Latino, who have challenged its legality in court.
The Republicans’ appeal to the Supreme Court cites the Purcell principle, a legal doctrine cautioning against changing election rules close to an election date. They argue that the appeals court’s decision to block the law contradicts this principle.
If the Supreme Court grants the stay, it could significantly impact Arizona’s upcoming elections. The state would be allowed to reject voter registrations lacking citizenship proof and potentially alter how it handles federal-only ballots.
The GOP has requested a decision by August 22, emphasizing the need to finalize ballot designs and voting machine configurations. As the legal drama unfolds, the outcome could influence how other states approach voter eligibility verification in future elections.
