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The Biden administration and advocacy groups have challenged the law, citing conflicts with the 1993 National Voter Registration Act
In a significant pre-election decision, the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday partially reinstated an Arizona law mandating documented proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration. The 5-4 ruling revives a contentious provision of the law, initially blocked by a federal judge that requires state voter registration applicants to present citizenship documentation or face rejection of their applications. This law, passed by Arizona's Republican-controlled legislature in 2022, enforces stricter requirements on voters using the state form, while those using a federal form face less stringent rules.
The ruling comes in response to an emergency request from the Republican National Committee and Arizona Republicans, who argue the law is necessary to ensure election integrity. However, the Biden administration and advocacy groups have challenged the law, citing conflicts with the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, which does not require documentary proof of citizenship. Chief Justice John Roberts, joined by Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch, sided with the Republican request to reinstate part of the law. Conservative Justice Amy Coney Barrett, along with liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented in favor of a total denial.
This decision has sparked further debate on voter rights, particularly as Arizona remains a key battleground in the upcoming November election.
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