Arizona's Requirement for Proof of Citizenship for Voter Registration Upheld
On Friday, the Ninth Circuit Court issued its opinion in Gonzales v. Yes on Proposition 200. The Ninth Circuit upheld Arizona’s voting registration requirement, enacted through a ballot initiative, that requires presentation of proof of citizenship to register to vote. The Court found the requirement was not a poll tax, and that the challengers had failed to present evidence that the requirement was a severe burden on the fundamental right to vote or a disproportionate burden upon the right to vote by naturalized citizens. Finally, the Court rejected the challengers claim that the NVRA prohibits states from requiring documentary proof of citizenship.
