Arizona Republicans, the Republican National Committee, and state lawmakers are seeking an emergency order to block some voters who registered using a federal voter registration form from casting ballots in the 2024 presidential election. The groups claim that a recent ruling by U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton, which allows non-citizens to vote in the election, undermines state sovereignty and creates a competitive imbalance in the election.
According to the groups, the ruling allows voters who do not provide proof of citizenship to cast ballots, which disproportionately affects Republican voters. In Arizona, 34.5% of registered voters are Republicans, but only 14.3% of voters who used the federal form are registered Republicans. The groups argue that this imbalance hurts the competitive position of the Republican presidential nominee.
The motion seeks three key provisions: requiring proof of citizenship for voters who only register to vote in federal elections, banning federal-only voters from voting by mail, and removing a safeguard for voters who register to vote in state elections without providing proof of citizenship.
Arizona State House Speaker Ben Toma and Senate President Warren Petersen, both Republicans, have joined the motion. However, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has taken no formal position on the dispute and is urging the appellate judges not to grant the emergency stay, citing concerns about the impact on the election.
“Election officials across Arizona are preparing for a very active election cycle,” Fontes’ attorney, Craig Morgan, wrote in court filings. “Last-minute policy changes can cause confusion and chaos, leading voters to doubt our election procedures and officials.”
