Attorney General Raúl Labrador has joined a coalition of 24 states in requesting the U.S. Supreme Court for an emergency stay after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals refused to stay a decision enjoining enforcement of Arizona’s law, which mandates proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration in federal races.
The amicus brief, filed late Thursday in support of the Republican National Committee and others, contends: “To enforce that requirement, Arizona does the logical thing: require that a person registering to vote provide documentary proof of citizenship. This requirement, or something similar, has been around in some form or fashion for at least 20 years.”
“Voting is a fundamental right in our Republic,” said Attorney General Labrador. “The integrity of that process demands security and scrutiny so we can all have confidence in the outcomes. Proving citizenship for voting in federal elections is not a burden when it comes to preserving that integrity.”
In July, a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals initially stayed part of the district court’s injunction. However, on Aug. 1, a different panel reversed the earlier ruling, now allowing Arizonans to register to vote in federal races without proving citizenship. The registration deadline for the presidential election is Oct. 7.
Before this court reversal, registrants were required to show documentary proof of citizenship.
States joining the West Virginia- and Kansas-led brief include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah and Virginia.
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