In a move poised to strengthen election integrity, Arizona is embarking on a meticulous examination of its voter registration records. This initiative, aimed at weeding out non-citizens who might be unlawfully enlisted to vote in federal elections, demands collaboration between all 15 Arizona counties and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The counties are mandated to cross-reference individuals on the “federal-only” voter list with DHS databases to affirm their citizenship status.
The legal settlement that sparked this process followed a lawsuit alleging non-compliance with state laws that necessitate proof of citizenship to vote. Dismissed on Wednesday, the suit underscored gaps in adherence to these requirements, with Coconino County, among others, having failed to consult DHS about voters' citizenship status. This settlement is a consequent pivot for Arizona, which, after a narrow win for Joe Biden in 2020, saw a return to supporting Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election.
Fox News cites James Rogers, senior counsel at America First Legal, lauding the agreement as "a great result for all Arizonans." Rogers elucidated the dual benefit of the initiative, stating, "This will help County Recorders find and remove any aliens on their voter rolls," and potentially enfranchise federal-only voters with confirmed citizenship, thus allowing them to partake in state and local elections.
Arizona law stipulates that residents must demonstrate proof of citizenship to engage in state and local elections. Despite this, approximately 50,000 "federal-only voters" are currently eligible to vote in federal elections without the state-required documentation due to federal regulations. Maricopa County, the state's most populous, has embraced the settlement, reiterating its commitment to accurate voter registration and revealing its proactive outreach to DHS.
Supporters of the settlement argue that it safeguards the electoral process by ensuring only eligible citizens vote in federal elections. In addition, it could enable verified citizens to expand their voting rights to include state and local elections. The undertaking represents a significant stride in nationwide efforts to curtail non-citizen participation in state voter rolls.
In related news, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes recently opposed President-elect Donald Trump's deportation plans for DACA recipients. Mayes emphasized the need for due process and entrenched the rights of individuals in the immigration system. She vowed to defend "dreamers" as integral members of Arizona’s community, as reported by Resist the Mainstream.
The settlement has imposed an obligation on counties to solicit DHS's assistance in affirming citizenship for their federal-only voters. This process of verification could lead to legal removal of non-citizens from the rolls, marking one of the most extensive endeavors to preserve electoral integrity in the country.
