Arizona GOP governor signs legislation requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote

[LetMyPeopleVote]

This law will be challenged and is clearly unconstitutional

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Arizona Republican Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday signed legislation that would require all Arizonans to provide proof of citizenship and residency to register to vote, sparking criticism from voting rights advocates who say it will potentially cancel thousands of voter registrations and are exploring legal challenges in response.

State law already requires Arizona residents who want to register to vote in state elections to provide proof of citizenship. But this legislation, passed by the GOP-controlled legislature, extends those requirements to residents who are only voting in federal elections. Currently, individuals who use a federal voter registration form are required to attest under penalty of perjury that they are a citizen, but proof is not required......

Critics also say the bill would do most harm to voters who lack a valid state driver's license or identification card like students, the elderly and tribal communities. They say they are expecting litigation to challenge the legislation.

"We are exploring that option, joining with other groups," Pinny Sheoran, president-elect of the League of Women Voters of Arizona, told CNN.

In 2004, Arizona voters approved proposition 200, which requires individuals to provide proof of citizenship to vote in state elections. But in 2013, the US Supreme Court ruled that the state could not impose the citizenship requirement on federal-only voters.