Justice Department sues to block Arizona’s proof of citizenship voting law
NBCDec 29, 2022
The Facts
The Justice Dept. (DOJ) on Tues. sued Arizona over a new law, set to take effect in Jan., requiring proof of citizenship - like a birth certificate or passport - to vote in a presidential election, for fear it may adversely impact vulnerable groups with limited access to government documents, including immigrants, students, the elderly, low-income, and Native Americans voters.
Kristen Clarke, head of the DOJ's civil rights division, said the bill, which also requires proof of citizenship to vote by mail in any federal election, violates the 1993 National Voter Registration Act and 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Since Arizona will be one of the key battleground states in the 2024 election, this bill could very well bar thousands of eligible voters from casting their ballots. If this happens, the few-thousand-votes margin that gave Biden the election in 2020 could easily be manipulated when those votes aren't included. This bill is one of the most significant tests of democracy since the Civil War.
Republican narrative
While federal law currently only requires voters to attest to their citizenship on registration forms, states are still allowed to enact further requirements to cast ballots. Arizona has the right, under the Constitution, to add extra requirements as needed. This is about ensuring election integrity.
