An Arizona federal judge has upheld a state law mandating voters to verify their U.S. citizenship before their votes are counted, dismissing claims of discrimination.
Judge Susan Bolton’s ruling comes after a lawsuit, led by the Hispanic voting rights organization “Mi Familia Vota,” challenged the law’s constitutionality in March 2022. The lawsuit, consolidated with a complaint from the Biden Administration, argued that the law, H.B. 2492, was unfounded and aimed at restricting voter rights based on unsubstantiated claims of non-citizen voting.
The plaintiffs denounced the law as a “baseless assault” on Arizona’s election integrity, emphasizing the lack of credible evidence supporting allegations of widespread voter fraud. They criticized the motives behind the law, labeling it as a politically motivated tactic to disenfranchise voters. However, Judge Bolton emphasized Arizona’s interest in safeguarding against voter fraud, especially with the looming 2024 presidential election.
She cited concerns over illegal migration and Arizona’s status as a pivotal battleground state, underscoring the necessity of stringent voter verification measures.
“Plaintiffs have not carried their burden to show that the Voting Laws’ remaining citizenship investigation procedures, [documentary proof of citizenship] requirements, and registration cancellation procedures violate the [National Voter Registration Act] or the [Voting Rights Act]”
“Nor do these provisions impose an undue burden on the right to vote or violate the equal protection and due process guarantees of the U.S. Constitution. Finally, the Court concludes that Plaintiffs failed to show that the Voting Laws were enacted with any discriminatory purpose.”
“Considering the evidence as a whole, the court concludes that Arizona’s interests in preventing non-citizens from voting and promoting public confidence in Arizona’s elections outweigh the limited burden voters might encounter when required to provide (documentary proof of citizenship)”
Judge Susan Bolton
Bolton’s ruling signifies a significant legal victory for proponents of voter verification laws, positioning Arizona at the forefront of efforts to uphold election integrity amidst heightened scrutiny and political polarization.