Court Strikes Down AZ Law Requiring Proof Of Citizenship To Vote

[DearAbby]

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals today struck down an Arizona law that required proof of citizenship in order to register to vote.

The law, which was passed as Proposition 200 by voter referendum in 2004, is meant to prevent illegal immigrants from voting and other forms of voter fraud. The court struck down the provision requiring proof of citizenship to register, but upheld provisions requiring identification at polling places.

In its ruling, the court wrote that the National Voting Rights Act supersedes Arizona's law.

Proponents of tighter voting regulations, mostly Republicans, advocate passing laws that would require both proof of citizenship while registering and ID at the polls. Critics say that could create obstacles for eligible voters.


http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/court_strikes_down_az_law_requiring_proof_of_citiz.php