Attorney General Liz Murrill has joined a coalition of 24 states in requesting an emergency stay from the U.S. Supreme Court following the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals' decision to block Arizona's law requiring proof of citizenship for voter registration in federal races.
The amicus brief, filed late Thursday in support of the Republican National Committee and others, asserts, "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."
Attorney General Murrill emphasized the importance of election integrity, stating, "It’s important that we protect election integrity. No one who is in our country illegally should be able to vote. Period. It’s not controversial to ask for proof of identification to vote and participate in our sacred elections."
In July, a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court initially stayed part of the district court's injunction. However, on August 1st, a different panel reversed this ruling, allowing Arizonans once again to register to vote in federal races without proving citizenship. The registration deadline for the presidential election is October 7th.
Prior to the court's 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, Idaho, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah and Virginia.
A copy of the amicus brief can be accessed here.