Judge upholds Arizona voting law requiring proof of citizens
Judge upholds Arizona voting law requiring proof of citizenship
Matthew Benson
The Arizona Republic
Aug. 29, 2007 01:13 PM
A federal judge ruled today that key parts of an Arizona law requiring proof of citizenship to vote are constitutional and don't violate federal or state law.
U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver issued a summary judgment against nine of the plaintiffs' claims, including cornerstone complaints that the law known as Proposition 200 violates the National Voter Registration Act and constitutes a poll tax. Issues still outstanding and potentially headed to trial include the claim that Prop. 200's ID requirements disproportionately impact minority voting.
Secretary of State Jan Brewer hailed the order as a "big victory for the people of Arizona." She promised to continue defending the law if the case is appealed by plaintiffs that include the Arizona Advocacy Network and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Prop. 200 has been the source of controversy since it began as a citizens initiative in 2004. Supporters said the measure was needed to reduce voter fraud, but opponents have long called that concern overblown.
Rather than merely blocking undocumented immigrants from the ballot box, critics maintain the law has also deterred some legal citizens who lack identification to prove their citizenship.
The law requires people to show proof of citizenship when registering to vote, as well as legal ID when casting a ballot.
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