Arizona Republicans hope for help from Trump DOJ over proof-of-citizenship law

Arizona Republicans are gearing up for a new battle over the state’s law requiring proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. After a recent defeat in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Republicans are hoping that the Trump administration will lend its support to the law.

The Ninth Circuit upheld a lower court’s ruling that Arizona’s voter ID law, which requires proof of citizenship to vote in state and federal elections, amounted to “unlawful measures of voter suppression.” The lawsuit challenging the law was brought by the Department of Justice, nonprofits, the DNC, and the Arizona Democratic Party. While the Supreme Court allowed restrictions on voting in state and local elections, it allowed individuals who registered without proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections using a different form.

Senate President Warren Petersen criticized the Ninth Circuit’s ruling as “brazen,” arguing that it found discriminatory intent in the law despite the Supreme Court not making such a finding. Petersen, along with his counterpart in the state House, are planning to appeal the ruling. They have also reached out to the Trump administration, asking for their support in changing the DOJ’s position on proof of citizenship for voting.

Petersen emphasized that the key goal of the law is to ensure that only citizens are voting in elections, a sentiment that he believes is supported by the majority of Arizona residents. He expressed confidence in the GOP’s chances if the case were to reach the Supreme Court, citing the court’s sensibility and rationality in addressing common-sense issues like voter eligibility.

The appeal process is still in the works, with the decision to go directly to the Supreme Court or back to the Ninth Circuit pending. Petersen stressed the importance of federal government alignment with Arizona’s position on voter ID laws, highlighting the significance of a unified stance on the issue.

As the legal battle continues, Arizona Republicans are standing firm in their defense of the voter ID law, confident in their chances of success with the support of the Trump administration. The outcome of this fight could have far-reaching implications for voter eligibility laws across the country.