ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona says another 120,000 residents could be affected by voter registration system error

Sep 30, 2024, 5:49 PM

Arizona voter registration system error...

Arizona's top elections official said another 120,000 residents could be affected by a voter registration system error. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

(Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

PHOENIX — Arizona’s top elections official said Monday another 120,000 residents could be affected by a voter registration system error that forced swift legal action less than two months before the election.

The total number of Arizona residents that could be affected is 218,000, Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said in a press release. The issue stemmed from a 2004 state law for those who got their Arizona driver’s license before the mid-1990s.

Fontes added that all residents affected by the error will receive full ballots for the Nov. 5 elections. The Arizona Supreme Court ruled on the matter, which at the time affected 98,000 voters, on Sept. 20.

“All agencies continue to work together in real time to resolve this matter,” according to the press release. “The Arizona voter registration database now has the correctly flagged the impacted individuals as needing proof of citizenship.”

What is the Arizona voter registration system error?

Since Oct. 1, 1996, Arizonans have had to provide valid proof of citizenship to get a driver’s license. Therefore, the licenses have been accepted as proof of citizenship for voter registration.

However, the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office recently discovered a glitch in the interface between the state’s voter registration database and the Motor Vehicle Division.

The MVD has not been flagging voters who originally got their licenses before the 1996 cutoff and also were issued duplicates at some point afterward, meaning those voters have not supplied the state with proof of citizenship. In those cases, the system was erroneously showing the date of the duplicate as the license issuance date, leading elections officials to incorrectly believe the MVD had proof of citizenship on record.

It does not necessarily mean those voters are not citizens, it just means they haven’t provided the documentation as required under state law.

The law requires voters to provide proof of citizenship when registering to be eligible to participate in state elections. Arizonans who haven’t provided documentary proof but attest to their citizenship can vote, but only in federal races, per U.S. law.

Of the 218,000 that could be affected, 79,000 are Republicans, 76,000 don’t have a party affiliation and 61,000 are Democrats, according to Fontes.

How did officials discover the registration glitch?

The error was uncovered after the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office received information about a man who was registered to vote but wasn’t a U.S. citizen. His voter file erroneously indicated that the MVD had his proof of citizenship on record.

Recorder Stephen Richer notified Gov. Katie Hobbs on Sept. 7. Hobbs’ office worked with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office to investigate the case, and they figured out the duplicate license date glitch.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Immigration Arizona criminal charges 565 people USAO...

Payne Moses

More than 500 charged with immigration-related crime in Arizona over recent 2-week period

From Jan. 21-Feb. 3, a total of 565 people were charged with illegal immigration activity by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona.

41 minutes ago

Two Valley freeway ramps will be closed for the next two months....

Kevin Stone

2 Valley on-ramps closing for 2 months as part of freeway improvement projects

A couple of metro Phoenix freeway ramps are closing for the next two months as part of ongoing improvement projects.

5 hours ago

Honeywell Aerospace...

Collin Huguley and Jeff Gifford/Phoenix Business Journal

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace to go its own way amid company split

Phoenix-based Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is going to become a separate entity now that Honeywell International Inc. plans to follow through with a major shake-up.

5 hours ago

fatal shooting southeast Phoenix one man dead...

Payne Moses

Police investigating fatal shooting that left 1 man dead in southeast Phoenix

Phoenix police are investigating a fatal shooting in southeast Phoenix on Friday that left one man dead. The incident is being viewed as an act of self-defense.

14 hours ago

Phoenix woman hit killed by car West Phoenix...

Payne Moses

Woman dead after hit by car while crossing street in west Phoenix

An adult woman was struck and killed by a car on Friday while crossing a street in west Phoenix, authorities said.

14 hours ago

I17 Bumble Bee bridge ADOT construction Feb. 10-12 overnight...

Payne Moses

I-17 overnight closures next week to remove old Bumble Bee bridge

The southbound Interstate 17 will be closed overnight from Monday to Wednesday due to scheduled reconstruction of the Bumble Bee bridge.

15 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Sanderson Ford

Sanderson Ford’s Operation Santa Claus: Spreading holiday cheer through pickleball

Phoenix, AZ – Sanderson Ford, a staple in the Arizona community, is once again gearing up for its annual Operation Santa Claus charity drive.

Arizona says another 120,000 residents could be affected by voter registration system error