AP (NEW)

Database error challenges Arizona’s rules that require voters to submit citizenship documents

Sep 17, 2024, 1:43 PM

FILE - Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes speaks at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 27, 2024...

FILE - Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes speaks at a campaign rally, Saturday, July 27, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)
Credit: ASSOCIATED PRESS

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File)

PHOENIX (AP) — Nearly 100,000 voters who haven’t submitted citizenship documents might be prevented from participating in Arizona’s state and local elections, a significant number for the battleground state where races have been tight.

The announcement Tuesday of an error in state-run databases that reclassified voters comes days before county election officials are required to mail ballots to uniformed and overseas voters.

Democratic Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Stephen Richer, the Republican recorder for Maricopa County, disagree over whether the voters should have access to the full ballot or the ability to vote only in federal races.

Arizona is unique among states in that it requires voters to prove their citizenship to participate in local and state races. Those who haven’t but have sworn to it under the penalty of law are allowed to participate only in federal elections.

Arizona considers drivers’ licenses issued after October 1996 to be valid proof of citizenship. However, a system coding error marked 97,000 voters who obtained licenses before 1996 — roughly 2.5% of all registered voters — as full-ballot voters, state officials said.

While the error between the state’s voter registration database and the Motor Vehicle Division won’t impact the presidential race, that number of voters could tip the scales in hotly contested races in the state Legislature where Republicans have a slim majority in both chambers.

It also could affect ballot measures before voters, including the constitutional right to abortion and criminalizing noncitizens for entering Arizona through Mexico at any location other than a port of entry.

Fontes said in a statement that the 97,000 voters are longtime Arizonans and mostly Republicans who should be able to fully participate in the general election.

Maricopa County Recorder Stephen Richer, who said his office identified the issue earlier this month, said he plans to sue Fontes’ office Tuesday afternoon, asking a court to classify the voters as federal-only.

“It is my position that these registrants have not satisfied Arizona’s documented proof of citizenship law, and therefore can only vote a ‘FED ONLY’ ballot,” Richer wrote on the social platform X.

AP (New)

Associated Press

Maria Elena Cruz picked to be the first Latina and first Black person on the Arizona Supreme Court

PHOENIX (AP) — Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs appointed Maria Elena Cruz to the Arizona Supreme Court on Wednesday, making the state appellate judge from Yuma County the first Latina and first Black person chosen for the state’s high court. Hobbs’ selection of Cruz marks the first Supreme Court appointment by a Democratic governor since 2005. […]

8 days ago

Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., listen as President Donald Trump sp...

Associated Press

Some Trump voters are skeptical of his opening moves to embrace fellow billionaires

MESA, Ariz. (AP) — Enrique Lopez votes sporadically but bought into Donald Trump’s vows to fight for everyday workers, helping the Republican flip Arizona last year. Then the home construction contractor watched how the billionaire president opened his second administration. “So, the rich control the poor, I guess. They do whatever they want. They get […]

9 days ago

FILE - Cochise County Recorder David Stevens sits for a portrait inside his office in Bisbee, Ariz....

Associated Press

Official in Arizona county where some leaders embraced voting conspiracy theories plans to resign

BISBEE, Ariz. (AP) — An election official in a southern Arizona county where some leaders embraced voting conspiracy theories plans to resign at the end of February. Cochise County Record David Stevens’ plans to step down were revealed Friday, 10 days after he was sworn in for a third term in office. A statement released […]

20 days ago

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs speaks prior to signing the repeal of the Civil War-era near-total abortio...

Associated Press

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs sees room for bipartisan compromise with GOP-led Legislature

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs is expected to outline her priorities for 2025 when she addresses lawmakers at the start of the session Monday.

24 days ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

Associated Press

Arizona prosecutors seek death penalty after a 2-year pause in executions

PHOENIX (AP) — Prosecutors in Arizona are seeking to execute a prisoner in what would mark the state’s first use of the death penalty after a two-year pause. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office asked the state Supreme Court on Friday to issue a warrant for the execution of Aaron Brian Gunches, who pleaded guilty to […]

27 days ago

James Arthur Ray obituary...

Associated Press

Self-help author behind Arizona sweat lodge ceremony deaths has died

James Arthur Ray, a self-help guru whose business toppled after he led a sweat lodge ceremony in Arizona that left three people dead, has died.

1 month ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to start your retirement planning early and avoid costly mistakes

Retirement planning can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance, you can avoid costly pitfalls.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Database error challenges Arizona’s rules that require voters to submit citizenship documents