Arizona High Court: Nearly 98,000 Residents Affected by Glitch Can Vote

On September 21, an important ruling from the Arizona Supreme Court has ensured that approximately 98,000 registered voters will be able to participate in the upcoming general election on November 5. This decision addresses a long-standing clerical error that had cast doubt on the voting eligibility of these residents.

The ruling came shortly after Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer submitted an emergency petition. This petition was aimed at restoring voting rights to 97,928 individuals who faced purging of their registration due to complications surrounding the state’s requirement to provide proof of citizenship.

The origins of the issue trace back to a clerical mistake made in 2004, which resulted in certain residents being registered to vote without having submitted the necessary documentation proving their citizenship. A state law enacted in 2005 mandated that proof of citizenship must be provided in order to register for voting.

Driver’s licenses issued after October 1996 are recognized as valid proof of citizenship. However, the state’s voter registration system allowed those who had obtained licenses before 1996 and later received replacement licenses without verifying their citizenship status to remain on the voter rolls. This oversight went unnoticed for nearly two decades, only recently coming to light and raising concerns about the registration status of nearly 100,000 voters.

The clerical error led to significant uncertainty for many Arizona residents regarding their ability to vote in the forthcoming general election. The Supreme Court’s ruling put these fears to rest, affirming that the affected individuals will be entitled to vote.

Chief Justice Ann Scott Timmer articulated the court’s position, stating, “We are unwilling on these facts to disenfranchise voters en masse from participating in state contests.” She emphasized that such disenfranchisement is neither supported by state law nor compliant with due process principles.

Importantly, the ruling noted that there is no indication that the affected voters are not U.S. citizens. Although they will be required to provide proof of citizenship for future elections, the court allows them to proceed with voting in this year’s election without additional documentation.

This decision has significant implications for the affected residents, ensuring that they can cast their ballots without further hurdles. The Arizona Supreme Court’s intervention underscores the importance of safeguarding voting rights, especially in light of long-standing administrative errors that can disenfranchise voters.

The ruling reflects a commitment to uphold democratic principles and ensure that all eligible citizens have the opportunity to participate in the electoral process. As the November 5 general election approaches, the clarity provided by this ruling allows these voters to engage fully in the democratic process without fear of losing their voting rights.

Source: UPI