A federal judge has ruled that Arizona and Kansas can "require proof of citizenship of registering voters, a decision that
could well set a trend for other Republican-dominated states," Fernanda Santos reports for The New York Times. The decision "could
prevent thousands of people from voting just as the governorship and
other major offices are on the ballot in both states."
Arizona began requiring proof of citizenship in 2004, and Kansas in 2011. Last June the Supreme Court ruled "that Congress holds full power over federal election rules, but indicated that states could require proof of citizenship in state and local elections," Santos writes. "Federal rules require prospective voters only to sign a form attesting to their citizenship, a procedure favored by Democrats who want to increase participation of minorities and the poor in elections, but Republican officials say that fosters voter fraud."
While there is little evidence of in-person voter fraud by illegal immigrants, "the poor and minorities are likely to be affected," Santos writes, referring to studies that "have shown that the poor and minorities often lack passports and access to birth certificates needed to register under the laws in question." (Read more)
Arizona began requiring proof of citizenship in 2004, and Kansas in 2011. Last June the Supreme Court ruled "that Congress holds full power over federal election rules, but indicated that states could require proof of citizenship in state and local elections," Santos writes. "Federal rules require prospective voters only to sign a form attesting to their citizenship, a procedure favored by Democrats who want to increase participation of minorities and the poor in elections, but Republican officials say that fosters voter fraud."
While there is little evidence of in-person voter fraud by illegal immigrants, "the poor and minorities are likely to be affected," Santos writes, referring to studies that "have shown that the poor and minorities often lack passports and access to birth certificates needed to register under the laws in question." (Read more)
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