America’s Voices on Border Security
Arizona Officials Tout Successful Statewide Initiatives to
Help Eliminate Non‐Citizen Voting
“When non‐citizens vote, their votes undermine the franchise of all American voters.
Voter fraud unquestionably has occurred in Arizona… The citizens of Arizona have
realized that producing proof of citizenship and identification are not burdensome
requirements, and doing this is a very small price to pay for protecting their right to
vote.”
‐‐Andrew P. Thomas, County Attorney
Maricopa County, Arizona
The House Committee on Administration is holding two field hearings today to
examine the impact of non‐citizen voting, and how the integrity of the federal
voting process can best be protected. At the hearing in Phoenix, Arizona, the
committee will hear from a panel of officials and experts who will speak about
that state’s successful efforts to combat non‐citizen voting. Below are excerpts
from the prepared testimony of some of the witnesses who will be testifying:
Andrew P. Thomas, County Attorney
Maricopa County, Arizona
“I commend this committee for considering legislation that would require proof
of citizenship to register to vote and valid identification to cast a ballot in federal
elections. Arizona voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 200 in the 2004
general election. … which requires those registering to vote to offer proof of
citizenship and requires voters to provide identification at the polls.”
“The voters of this state feel, and I agree, that these changes in law are vital to
protect the voting franchise. When non‐citizens vote, their votes undermine the
franchise of all American voters. Voter fraud unquestionably has occurred in
Arizona.”
“The citizens of Arizona have realized that producing proof of citizenship and
identification are not burdensome requirements, and doing this is a very small
price to pay for protecting their right to vote. Law enforcement likewise should
do its part to safeguard this important right. I applaud Congress for looking into
these matters and taking seriously the duty of preserving our most basic
birthright as Americans.”
The Honorable Jan Brewer
Arizona Secretary of State
“As you already know, Arizonans overwhelmingly passed Proposition 200
which requires all new voter registration applications to be accompanied by
sufficient proof of citizenship, and voters must now present identification at the
polls before receiving a ballot. Clearly, the voters of Arizona have shown their
strong support for stricter requirements surrounding both voter registration and
voting at the polling place as an additional tool in combating potential voter
fraud.”
“ID at the polls has now been successfully implemented at three separate local
elections in Arizona. Each time with very positive results. … the fears of
harassment and intimidation of voters that were previously espoused by critics;
have not come to fruition.”
“(P)roof of citizenship” requirements for voter registration have now been fully
implemented in all 15 counties of Arizona for over a year and a half. At the time
of passage there were many fears and anxieties that predicted voter registration
would drop and a lower voter turnout would result. Such has not been the case.
In fact, Arizona’s current voter registration is at record highs.”
“There simply was not widespread problems with this law as many feared. The
truth is under our procedure no one – I repeat NO ONE – is turned away at the
polls.”
www.gop.gov/bordersecurity
House Republican Conference Press Office
202a Cannon HOB
(202) 226‐9000