In a critical ruling ahead of the upcoming presidential election, the U.S. Supreme Court has reinstated a key provision of Arizona’s voter law, requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. The decision, a narrow 5-4 split, responded to an appeal from Arizona Republicans and the Republican National Committee after a federal judge previously blocked the law.
The revived law targets state voter registration forms, demanding documented citizenship proof for those registering to vote in presidential elections or by mail in federal elections. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle over voter rights in Arizona, a state that has been at the forefront of election integrity debates.
Despite the reinstatement, the court maintained the block on tighter restrictions for those using the federal registration form, which only requires a declaration of citizenship under penalty of perjury. The decision reflects the deeply divided nature of the court, with Chief Justice John Roberts and four conservative justices supporting the partial revival, while three liberal justices and conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett opposed the move entirely.
This ruling is a crucial victory for Arizona Republicans, who have defended the law as necessary for ensuring election integrity. However, the legal challenges are far from over. The Biden administration, which argues that the Arizona law is overridden by federal legislation, continues to oppose the state’s voter requirements.
Arizona has been a pivotal battleground in recent elections, and this latest decision only heightens the stakes as both parties gear up for a fiercely contested November election. The law’s impact on voter registration and turnout remains to be seen, but it underscores the ongoing struggle over the balance between voter access and election security in one of the nation’s most competitive states.
