Arizona Voting Citizenship Controversy: Thousands of Registrants at Risk
Maricopa County Recorder, Stephen Richer, is gearing up to take legal action against Arizona’s Secretary of State, Adrian Fontes, due to a citizenship verification issue that could potentially impact up to 97,000 registrants in the state.
The root of the problem lies in an “administrative error” that came to light recently when Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs discovered a flaw in the system that checks for proof of citizenship among voters. The issue stems from a discrepancy in how Arizona verifies citizenship for those who obtained a driver’s license before 1996 and had it replaced post-1996. The system inaccurately recorded the date of issuance, leading to a failure in alerting the county of the original pre-1996 license.
Governor Hobbs swiftly directed the Motor Vehicle Division to collaborate with the Secretary of State’s office to rectify the oversight. Additionally, she announced plans for an independent audit to ensure the proper functioning of systems supporting voter registration.
According to Richer, the flaw has persisted since 2004 and could affect a significant number of registered voters, although he believes the majority are citizens who simply haven’t provided the required documented proof of citizenship.
Richer’s decision to pursue legal action against the Secretary of State stems from the differing interpretations of the law regarding citizenship verification requirements. This move could spark a legal battle that may have far-reaching implications in ensuring the integrity of Arizona’s voting process.
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